Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 2, 2026
An Experimental Paradigm for the Prediction of Post-Operative Pain (PPOP)
Published on: January 27, 2010
Poor postoperative pain control is associated with prolonged length of stay after elective spine surgery: An
Rena Far1, Jay Riva-Cambrin1,2, Steph Casha1,3
1Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Section of Neurosurgery, University of Calgary, 1403 29 St NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 2T9, Canada.
Background:
Prolonged length of stay (LOS) after elective spine surgery is associated with an increased risk of in-hospital complications and higher healthcare costs. This ambispective cohort study investigates the association between poor postoperative pain control and prolonged LOS, while adjusting for known risk factors and perioperative adverse events.
Methods:
Consecutive adult patients undergoing elective spine surgery were enrolled. The primary outcome was prolonged LOS (≥75th percentile; ≥6 days). The primary independent variable was poor pain control on postoperative day 1 (POD1; mean numeric rating scale >4 in the first 24 hours after surgery). Baseline demographics, surgical characteristics, and perioperative adverse events were collected. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses with multiple imputation were performed to investigate the relationship between poor pain control and prolonged LOS.
Results:
In 1,078 patients, the mean LOS was 4.8 days, and 57% of patients experienced poor pain control. Multivariable analyses revealed poor pain control was independently associated with prolonged LOS (OR 1.83 [95% CI = 1.16-2.89], p = .009), after adjusting for age (p = .27), female sex (p = .002), perioperative blood transfusion (p = .030), postoperative airway/breathing/circulation adverse events (p < .001), constipation (p = .013), urinary tract infection (p = .002), urinary retention (p < .001), hematoma (p < .001), surgical site infection (p < .001), neurologic deterioration (p < .001), POD1 morphine equivalent dose (p < .001), preoperative disability score (p = .04), ASA physical status score (p = .03), smoking status (p = .03), surgical levels (p < .001), estimated blood loss (p = .012), intraoperative dural tears (p = .04), and fusion surgery (p < .001).
Conclusions:
Poor POD1 pain control was independently associated with prolonged LOS. Improved postoperative pain experience may lead to reduced LOS after elective spine surgery.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Peripheral Artery Disease V: Postoperative Nursing Management
01:26Endoscopic Procedures IV: Sigmoidoscopy and Laproscopy
Sigmoidoscopy
Sigmoidoscopy is a diagnostic procedure that uses a flexible sigmoidoscope equipped with a light source and camera to examine the rectum and sigmoid colon. The procedure involves inserting the tube through the anus...