[Preoperative pain in urological patients scheduled for surgical intervention : Incidence, severity and chronicity]

The genesis of chronic pain in urology has so far been insufficiently investigated. No investigations have focused on the occurrence of preoperative pain. We developed an epidemiological questionnaire to analyze preoperative pain.

In this questionnaire, preoperative pain in all patients scheduled for urologic surgery (n=165) was analyzed. Acute and chronic pain was analyzed as main or adjoint pain, with the registration of severity, chronification states, and duration. We registered depression and anxiety, well-being, and somatic and psychological efficiency.

Eighty percent of the patients reported pain within the previous 12 months. Acute preoperative pain was reported by 17% of the patients and chronic pain by 64%. Significant differences in quality of life were detected between patients with or without preoperative pain. Well-being was also significantly affected in patients having pain.

The pain severity and states of chronification not only explain a reduction in somatic and psychological well-being but also emphasize that preoperative pain should be identified thoroughly prior to surgery.