Pain and Discomfort After Appendectomy in Children
Pain and Discomfort After Appendectomy in Children
Appendectomy is the most common surgical procedure. Chronic abdominal pain is an uncommon
 complication following appendectomy. It is observed that pediatric patients who have
 undergone abdominal surgical procedure complained of pain and discomfort in the postoperative
 period and these complaints may affect quality of life. We aimed to investigate the presence
 of postoperative chronic abdominal pain and discomfort in children aged 8-18 years underwent
 appendectomy and their social and physical effects. The records of children aged 8-18 years
 who underwent appendectomy, such as age, gender, American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA)
 classification score, the type of surgical procedure, and anesthetic technique were obtained.
 Children had inclusions crietrias, pain was assessed using numerical rating scale and their
 effects on life were assessed Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory parent and child versions
 questionnaire at sixth months after surgery.
Acute appendicitis is a diagnosis with clinical findings, laboratory tests and radiological
 imaging. The main pathology of appendicitis is usually the onset of the inflammatory process
 in the appendix vermiformis in the right lower abdomen. If untreated, the inflammatory
 process may progress to the perforation of the appendix and develop peritonitis. Appendectomy
 is an emergency surgical procedure for treatments of patients diagnosed with acute
 appendicitis and is the most common surgical procedure (1). Complications of appendectomy are
 wound site infection, postoperative intestinal adhesions and obstruction, peritonitis,
 bleeding, inguinal hernia, and chronic abdominal pain.

 It is observed that pediatric patients who have undergone abdominal surgical procedure
 complained of pain and discomfort in the postoperative period (2). It should be noted that
 these complaints may affect quality of life. To the best of our knowledge, since there is no
 study in the literature, we aimed to investigate the presence of postoperative chronic
 abdominal pain and discomfort in children aged 8-18 years underwent appendectomy and their
 social and physical effects.

 After Local Ethics Committee approval had been obtained, the records of children aged 8-18
 years who underwent appendectomy, such as age, gender, American Society of Anesthesiology
 (ASA) classification score, the type of surgical procedure, and anesthetic technique were
 obtained from hospital information management system and anesthetic charts. Inclusion
 criterias were children between the ages of 8-18 years who underwent appendectomy, had ASA I
 physical score, and those who agree to participate for this research. Children who aged under
 8 and over 18 years, had ASA II and those with higher physical score, had previously
 undergone surgery from the right lower abdomen, had preoperative pain complaint over 6 month,
 had psychiatric disorders, and whose parents do not agree to participate were excluded in
 this study. By calling parents, at the 6th month after the surgical procedure, the presence
 of chronic pain and discomfort were asked via face to face or talking on the phone. The
 primary endpoint of this study is to investigate the prevalence of chronic pain and
 discomfort at the 6th month after appendectomy in pediatric patients. The secondary endpoint
 is to determine the effects of chronic pain on the children's quality of life.

 Pain was defined as the presence of intermittent or continuous hurtfully sensation.
 Discomfort was defined as an abnormal bad feeling. Children were asked whether they felt pain
 or discomfort while resting, coughing, and exercise. Pain was assessed using verbal numeric
 rating scale. Their effects on life were assessed Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory parent
 and child versions questionnaire at sixth months after surgery.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Children between the ages of 8-18 years who underwent appendectomy,

 -  who had ASA I physical score

 -  who agree to participate for this research

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Children who aged under 8 and over 18 years,

 -  who had ASA II and those with higher physical score,

 -  who had previously undergone surgery from the right lower abdomen,

 -  who had preoperative pain complaint over 6 month,

 -  who had psychiatric disorders,

 -  who do not agree to participate