Depression and female gender predict higher postoperative pain scores and need for opioids after sinonasal surgery

Background The reduction of postoperative opioids is highly needful yet controversially discussed. The objective of this study was to identify factors that predict higher postoperative pain scores (PPS) and the need for opioid analgesics after sinonasal surgery.

Methodology/Principal This was a retrospective study of n=474 patients who underwent functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS), septoplasty or a combination in the Otolaryngology department of the University Erlangen-Nürnberg between January and December 2018. The postoperative pain (4 days after surgery) using the numeric rating scale (0-10) and the postoperative need for non-opioid and opioid analgesics in relation to demographic, and surgical parameters were evaluated.

Results Patients undergoing FESS showed significantly lower PPSs compared to patients undergoing septoplasty (p  <  0.001). Significant predictors for a higher pain score were depression (Beta= 0.725 ± 0.277 [0.180–1.270], p =0.009) and the female gender (Beta= 0.485±0122[0.245–0.726], p < 0.001). Significant predictors for the need of postoperative opioids was again the female gender (Odds Ratio=3.128[2.101–4.655], p < 0.001) whereas FESS alone showed a significantly lower need for opioids (OR=0.605[0.379 – 0.964],p=0.035).

Conclusion The study could identify risk factors for higher PPSs and need for opioids. The results indicate that a reduction of postoperative opioids may be possible in patients without these risk factors and may help guide individualized postoperative therapy.

Poster-PDF A-1104.pdf

Conflict of interest

Der Erstautor gibt keinen Interessenskonflikt an.

Publication History

Article published online:
13 May 2021