The effect of age and sex on postoperative pain after deep vitrectomy

Abstract

Background: Regardless of the exact reason, it is important to identify patients who are at greater risk for pain. There are few studies about the effects of age and gender in pain perception during and after deep vitrectomy; so, we performed this study to evaluate the effects of these two factors in this regard. Methods: In a descriptive study, 440 patients scheduled for deep vitrectomy were randomly allocated to three age groups, group 1: 17-34, group 2: 35-52, and group 3: 53-70 years old. General anesthesia was performed in the same manner in all the groups. Pain intensity based on the visual analog scale (VAS) and additional opioid consumption was assessed on entrance to the recovery room, and 30 and 60 minutes and 2, 4, 8, 16 and 24 hours after arrival it. Findings: Pain intensity in time of entrance to recovery room was 3.73 ± 1.46, 3.05 ± 1.08 and 4.19 ± 2.03 in groups of 17-34, 35-52 and 53-70 years, respectively and the difference between the groups was significant (P < 0.001). The patients aged 53-70 years had more pain intensity compared with the other age groups from arrival to the recovery room until 24 hours postoperatively (P < 0.050 for all the times). In addition, the pain intensity was significantly higher in women compared to men from arrival to the recovery room until 4 hours postoperatively (P < 0.05 for all the times). The number of patients requiring pethidine was not significantly different between the three groups all the times during 24 hours postoperatively (P > 0.050 for all). Conclusion: Women and elder patients experience more intense pain after deep vitrectomy. © 2017, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All rights reserved.