Journal List > J Korean Ophthalmol Soc > v.51(9) > 1008637

Lee, Ahn, Chung, and Chung: Predictable Factors of Postoperative Pain Following LASEK

Abstract

Purpose

To determine predictable factors of postoperative pain and cut-off values following LASEK eye surgery.

Methods

Thirty-three eyes of 17 patients who underwent LASEK from May to December 2008 were reviewed. For evaluation of predictive factors, patients' anxiety level was converted to APAIS, HADS, STAI, and VAS preoperatively. Substance P and prostaglandin E2 levels in tears, blood pressure, heart rate, and history of any previous surgery were determined before the procedure. Thirty minutes and 1 day after LASEK, the subjective degree of pain was scored.

Results

Patients with high Amsterdam preoperative anxiety scale (APAIS) and Visual analogue scale (VAS) scores showed more postoperative pain (p=0.04, p<0.001). Higher substance P and prostaglandin E2 levels were significantly related with more severe pain after LASEK (p<0.001, p<0.001). Postoperative pain increased significantly, according to cut-off values (p<0.05), APAIS and VAS scores greater than 6, substance P greater than 631.84 pg/ml, and prostaglandin E2 greater than 783.90 pg/ml.

Conclusions

The level of pain after LASEK surgery varies individually, and many factors, including physical and psychological variances, can affect the pain. With higher APAIS/VAS scores and higher concentrations of substance P, prostaglandin E2 portends more severe pain following LASEK.

Figures and Tables

Figure 1
Questionnaires for subjective scoring of anxiety.
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Figure 2
Mean postoperative pain following LASEK.
*Postoperative pain measurement by VAS (Visual Analogue Scale); P0 = pain at 30 minutes postoperatively; P1 = pain at 1 day postoperatively; §PT = total pain (P0+P1).
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Table 1
Predictive factors of postoperative pain following LASEK
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*SBP = systolic blood pressure; DBP = diastolic blood pressure; HR = heart rate; §APAIS = Amsterdam preoperative anxiety information scale; HADS = hospital anxiety anxiety depression scale; STAI = state-trait anxiety scale; #VAS = visual analogue scale; **SP = substance P; ††PGE2 = prostaglandin E2.

Table 2
Relations between predictive factors and postoperative pain after LASEK
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*Pearson correlation analysis with Bonferroni correction; P0 =pain at 30 minutes postoperatively; APAIS = Amsterdam preoperative anxiety information scale; §VAS = visual analogue scale; SP = substance P; PGE2 = prostaglandin E2; #P1 = pain at 1 day postoperatively; **PT = total pain (P0+P1).

Table 3
Cut-off values of predictive factors for postoperative pain after LASEK
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*minimum p-value approach; P0 = pain at 30 minutes postoperatively; VAS = visual analogue scale; §P1 = pain at 1 day postoperatively; APAIS = Amsterdam preoperative anxiety information scale; PT = total pain (P0 + P1)

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