Analgesic Consumption in the Early Postoperative Period: A Prospective Observational PACU Study

NCT07547618 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 2026-04/75
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 254
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Postoperative pain remains a significant clinical challenge that directly affects patient recovery, functional outcomes, and overall quality of care. Inadequate pain control in the early postoperative period is associated with delayed mobilization, increased risk of complications, prolonged hospital stay, and the development of chronic pain. The post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) represents a critical phase in which pain is actively assessed and managed, and analgesic consumption during this period serves as an objective indicator of analgesic requirements and effectiveness of perioperative pain strategies. This prospective observational study aims to identify patient-related, surgical, and anesthesia-related factors influencing analgesic consumption in the early postoperative period among adult patients admitted to the PACU following elective surgery. No additional interventions will be performed, and all perioperative management will follow routine clinical practice. Data will be collected prospectively from clinical records, anesthesia charts, and PACU monitoring forms. The primary outcome is total analgesic consumption during the PACU stay. Secondary outcomes include pain intensity assessed using a standardized pain scale at PACU admission and discharge, requirement for rescue analgesia, incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting, and length of stay in the PACU. The findings of this study are expected to contribute to the identification of patients at higher risk for increased analgesic requirements and to support the development of individualized pain management strategies, ultimately improving perioperative care quality and patient outcomes.

Conditions

Postoperative Pain; Analgesic Consumption; Pain Management

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Total Analgesic Consumption in the PACU

  Total amount of analgesic medications administered to patients during their stay in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU). Analgesic consumption will be recorded and standardized (e.g., converted to morphine equivalents if applicable) to allow comparison across patients.

  During PACU stay (from admission to discharge, within approximately 0-4 hours postoperatively)

Secondary Outcomes (5)

• Pain Intensity at PACU Admission

  At PACU admission (within the immediate postoperative period)

• Pain Intensity at PACU Discharge

  At PACU discharge (within approximately 0-4 hours postoperatively)

• Requirement for Rescue Analgesia in the PACU

  During PACU stay (from admission to discharge, within approximately 0-4 hours postoperatively)

• Incidence of Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting in the PACU

  During PACU stay (from admission to discharge, within approximately 0-4 hours postoperatively)

• Length of Stay in the PACU

  During PACU stay (from admission to discharge, within approximately 0-4 hours postoperatively)

Study Arms (1)

PACU Observational Cohort

This study consists of a single observational cohort of adult patients undergoing elective surgery and subsequently monitored in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU). No intervention is applied as part of the study. All patients receive standard perioperative care according to institutional clinical practice. Data on analgesic consumption, pain scores, and perioperative variables are collected prospectively to evaluate factors influencing analgesic requirements in the early postoperative period.

Other: Observational Assessment

Interventions

Observational Assessment OTHER

This is a non-interventional observational study. No experimental intervention is applied. All patients receive routine perioperative care according to institutional clinical practice. The study involves prospective collection and analysis of clinical data related to analgesic consumption and associated factors during the early postoperative period in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU).

PACU Observational Cohort

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Adult patients undergoing elective surgical procedures and admitted to the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) in a tertiary oncology hospital. The study population represents a heterogeneous surgical cohort managed under routine perioperative care conditions.

You may qualify if:

• Adults aged 18 years and older
• Undergoing elective surgical procedures
• Admitted to the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) after surgery
• Receiving general and/or regional anesthesia
• Able to provide informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• Patients younger than 18 years
• Emergency surgical procedures
• Patients transferred directly to the intensive care unit postoperatively
• PACU stay shorter than 30 minutes
• Patients unable to communicate or assess pain
• Incomplete clinical records
• Refusal to participate in the study

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Dr Abdurrahman Yurtaslan Ankara Oncology Training and Research Hospital: lead

Study Sites (1)

Dr. Abdurrahman Yurtaslan Ankara Oncology Education and Research Hospital Clinic of Anesthesiology and Rea

Ankara, Yenimahalle, 06200, Turkey (Türkiye)

RECRUITING

Related Publications (3)

• Kehlet H, Dahl JB. Anaesthesia, surgery, and challenges in postoperative recovery. Lancet. 2003 Dec 6;362(9399):1921-8. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(03)14966-5.

  PMID: 14667752 BACKGROUND

• Gan TJ, Diemunsch P, Habib AS, Kovac A, Kranke P, Meyer TA, Watcha M, Chung F, Angus S, Apfel CC, Bergese SD, Candiotti KA, Chan MT, Davis PJ, Hooper VD, Lagoo-Deenadayalan S, Myles P, Nezat G, Philip BK, Tramer MR; Society for Ambulatory Anesthesia. Consensus guidelines for the management of postoperative nausea and vomiting. Anesth Analg. 2014 Jan;118(1):85-113. doi: 10.1213/ANE.0000000000000002.

  PMID: 24356162 BACKGROUND

• Apfelbaum JL, Chen C, Mehta SS, Gan TJ. Postoperative pain experience: results from a national survey suggest postoperative pain continues to be undermanaged. Anesth Analg. 2003 Aug;97(2):534-540. doi: 10.1213/01.ANE.0000068822.10113.9E.

  PMID: 12873949 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Pain, Postoperative; Agnosia

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Postoperative Complications; Pathologic Processes; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Perceptual Disorders; Neurobehavioral Manifestations; Nervous System Diseases

Central Study Contacts

Mustafa Kemal Şahin

CONTACT

+905075800976; mksahin@msn.com

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 17, 2026
• First Posted: April 23, 2026
• Study Start: April 5, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): July 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): July 20, 2026
• Last Updated: April 30, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)