Analgesia intraoperatoria y dolor postoperatorio en pacientes pediátricos sometidos a cirugía ambulatoria. Estudio observacional prospectivo de seguimiento de una cohorte

Laura Daniela Barrientos Diaz; Leonidas Adelaida Rodriguez; Mirta Noemi Mesquita Ramirez

doi:10.31698/ped.53022026003

Authors

Laura Daniela Barrientos Diaz Hospital General Pediatrico Niños de Acosta Ñu. San Lorenzo, Paraguay. , Universidad Catolica Nuestra Señora de la Asunción. Asunción, Paraguay. https://orcid.org/0009-0006-9027-2385
Leonidas Adelaida Rodriguez Hospital General Pediatrico Niños de Acosta Ñu, Departamento de Emergencias Pediátricas. San Lorenzo, Paraguay. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2210-245X
Mirta Noemi Mesquita Ramirez Universidad Catolica Nuestra Señora de la Asunción. Asunción, Paraguay. , Hospital General Pediatrico Niños de Acosta Ñu, Coordinación de Investigación. San Lorenzo, Paraguay. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1249-3327

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31698/ped.53022026003

Keywords:

postoperative, Ambulatory, Surgical procedures, pediatrics, pain management, analgesia

Abstract

Introduction: Inadequate postoperative pain control may compromise patient comfort and delay discharge.

Objective: To examine the association between postoperative pain and the intraoperative analgesic regimen, surgical specialty, and duration of surgery in pediatric patients undergoing ambulatory procedures.

Methods: A prospective observational cohort study was conducted in September and November 2025 at a pediatric hospital. Using convenience sampling, patients aged 0 to 18 years who underwent ambulatory surgery were included. Variables collected included demographic characteristics, type and duration of surgery, surgical specialty, intraoperative analgesic regimen, postoperative pain, length of stay, and hospitalization. Data analysis was performed using SPSS v21 with descriptive and inferential statistics. The study protocol was approved by the institutional ethics committee, and informed consent was obtained.

Results: A total of 127 patients were enrolled, with a median age of 6 years (p25–p75: 3–10); 72.4% were male. Overall, 60.6% received general anesthesia combined with regional nerve block and a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (GA+RB+NSAID). One hour after surgery, 85.8% of patients were pain-free, an outcome significantly associated with the GA+RB+NSAID regimen (p = 0.0006). Procedure duration was not associated with postoperative pain. Median length of stay was 7.5 hours. No patient required hospitalization.

Conclusion: Most patients did not experience postoperative pain. Absence of pain was associated with the GA+RB+NSAID regimen. No association was found between pain and surgical duration. Length of stay was short, and no patient required hospitalization.

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