Prevalence and predictors of chronic postsurgical pain after colorectal surgery: A prospective study

The aim was to investigate the incidence, characteristics and the potential predictors of chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) after colorectal surgery.

Patients who underwent colorectal surgery at our institution from July 2014 to December 2016 were prospectively enrolled in this study. Perioperative potential demographic, clinical and psychological predictors for CPSP were collected. The follow-up visits were conducted through telephone interviews at 3 and 6 months postoperatively. The interview questionnaire comprised items regarding pain intensity, frequency, site, analgesic administration and impact on activities of daily living.

A total of 624 patients completed the 6-month follow-up and were included in the analysis. CPSP was reported by 32.1% of these patients at 3 months and 21.8% at 6 months after colorectal surgery. The pain interfered with several activities of daily living in a considerable proportion of CPSP cases. At 3 months, the identified predictors of CPSP were young age, preoperative abdominal pain and pain elsewhere, preoperative anxiety and depression, longer duration of surgery, and high pain intensity on movement within 24 h after surgery. Predictors of CPSP at 6 months were young age, preoperative abdominal pain, preoperative anxiety, longer duration of surgery, and high pain intensity on movement within 24 h after surgery.

Chronic pain after colorectal surgery is a common complication associated with young age, preoperative abdominal pain and pain elsewhere, preoperative anxiety and depression, longer duration of surgery, and high pain intensity on movement within 24 h after surgery.