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. 2023 Jan;33(1):204-210.
doi: 10.1007/s11695-022-06354-9. Epub 2022 Nov 8.

Cross-sectional E-survey on the Incidence of Pre- and Postoperative Chronic Pain in Bariatric Surgery

Bart Torensma  1   2 , Mohammed Hany  3 , Marije J S Bakker  4 , Monique van Velzen  4 , Bas A In 't Veld  5 , Albert Dahan  4 , Dingeman J Swank  6
Affiliations

Cross-sectional E-survey on the Incidence of Pre- and Postoperative Chronic Pain in Bariatric Surgery

Bart Torensma et al. Obes Surg. 2023 Jan.

Erratum in

Abstract

Background: To assess the prevalence, incidence, location, and behavior of chronic pre- and postoperative pain in bariatric surgery, and the use of analgesics.

Methods: A cross-sectional e-survey was conducted on 3928 post-bariatric patients and four-time points for pain assessment were evaluated: preoperative, on the ward, day 1 at home postoperatively, and present time (at the time of the e-survey). A numerical rating scale (NRS) was used to assess the level of pain (0 to 10). The general incidence of chronic pain was calculated, as also, subgroups were defined as group A (pre and postoperative chronic pain), B (preoperative pain, and no longer postoperative), and C (preoperative painless, postoperative chronic pain). Besides the pain intensity, location of pain, and the use of analgesics were investigated.

Results: A total of 3279 patients (83.9%) responded to the survey. Preoperative and postoperative chronic pain was found in 343 (10.5%) and 264 (8.1%) patients, respectively. In group A, chronic pain was present in 4.8% of the patients; in group B, it was present in 5.7%; and in group C in 3.3% of the patients. Furthermore, in 4.5% of patients pain was located in the abdomen, which was higher as compared to before surgery (+ 2.3%, p < 0.001). The ORs for present postoperative chronic pain were OR 1.45, 1.7, and 1.71 (p = 0.002, 0.003, 0.003) compared to respectively preoperative chronic pain, pain at the ward, and pain at day 1 after surgery. Among all participants, 4.6% consumed chronic analgesics. Of these, paracetamol was used most frequently (3.8%), followed by tramadol (1.3%) and oxycodone (0.5%).

Conclusions: In this e-survey, chronic postoperative abdominal pain was prominent in patients after bariatric surgery. Of patients, 3.3% that were without preoperative chronic pain developed chronic pain after surgery. Opioid consumption in the queried population was relatively low.

Keywords: Bariatric surgery; Chronic abdominal pain; Chronic pain; Incidence; Pre- and postoperative; Survey.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

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