‘Desire for more analgesic treatment’: pain and patient-reported outcome after paediatric tonsillectomy and appendectomy

BackgroundInsufficiently treated pain after paediatric appendectomy and tonsillectomy is frequent. We aimed to identify variables associated with poor patient-reported outcomes.MethodsThis analysis derives from the European PAIN OUT infant registry providing information on perioperative pharmacological data outcomes 24 h surgery. Variables endpoint ‘desire for more treatment’ were evaluated by elastic net regularisation (odds ratio [95% confidence interval]).ResultsData children undergoing (n=472) (n=466) between 2015 2019 analysed. Some 24.8% (appendectomy) 20.2% (tonsillectomy) wished they had received treatment in They reported higher composite scores (5.2 [4.8–5.5] vs 3.6 [3.5–3.8]), pain-related interference, adverse events than not desiring treatment, opioids surgery (morphine equivalents (81 [60–102] 50 [43–56] ?g kg?1). Regression revealed that sleep disturbance (appendectomy odds ratio: 2.8 [1.7–4.6], 3.7 [2.1–6.5]; P<0.001) intensities (1.5-fold increase) increased probability of treatment. There was an inverse association number different classes non-opioids administered preventively, desire analgesics postoperatively. Children receiving any non-opioid before end a 3.5-fold (2.1–6.5-fold) increase compared at least two analgesics.ConclusionsPreventive administration simple strategy may improve outcomes.