Cross-sectional e-survey on the incidence of pre- and postoperative chronic pain in bariatric surgery

Torensma, B.; Hany, M.; Bakker, M.J.S.; Velzen, M. van; Veld, B.A.I. 't; Dahan, A.; Swank, D.J. (2022)

Article / Letter to editor

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.

• Survey
• Incidence
• Chronic pain
• Chronic abdominal pain
• Bariatric surgery
• Pre- and postoperative

• All authors: Torensma, B.; Hany, M.; Bakker, M.J.S.; Velzen, M. van; Veld, B.A.I. 't; Dahan, A.; Swank, D.J.
• Date: 2022-11-08
• Journal: Obesity Surgery
• Volume: 33
• Pages: 204 - 210
• DOI: doi:10.1007/s11695-022-06354-9