Abstract
To analyze the perceptions of children and adolescents about chronic postsurgical pain, experienced for three years after outpatient inguinal herniorrhaphy. Descriptive, exploratory study, with a qualitative approach. Children and adolescents who reported chronic postsurgical pain were invited from previous quantitative research. The interviews with a semi-structured script were recorded, transcribed, and coded according to content analysis, thematic modality. Twenty children and teenagers participated. They attributed different meanings to chronic persistent postsurgical pain, configuring a bad, uncomfortable, intermittent and limiting experience, which socially isolates, interferes with daily, school, and leisure activities. The report of pain was underestimated and neglected by the children's and adolescents' healthcare team, family members, teachers, and friends. Children and adolescents recognize postsurgical pain as persistent pain and seem to perceive that their report is underestimated and neglected by parents and teachers. Additionally, they feel responsible for the presence of pain that affects psychological and social dimensions and imposes damage and fear that leads to the return of the hernia and to death.
Highlights
The first painful experiences in a person’s life, when poorly managed or underestimated, can result in negative effects that persist throughout adulthood, such as chronic pain and suffering[1]
Chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP), for instance, is a public health problem recognized in the pediatric p opulation[3]
After an inguinal herniorrhaphy (IHR), evidence points to a higher risk of CPSP compared to other surgeries of the same complexity performed in childhood[6]
Summary
The first painful experiences in a person’s life, when poorly managed or underestimated, can result in negative effects that persist throughout adulthood, such as chronic pain and suffering[1]. Despite the tools and scientific evidence supporting and favoring the treatment of childhood pain, this experience still remains undertreated[1]. This is because the knowledge of healthcare professionals about the painful experience, especially pediatric pain, has been pointed out as limited[2]. CPSP is pain that develops or increases in intensity and persists for at least three months after a surgical procedure, such as open herniorrhaphy[4]. After an inguinal herniorrhaphy (IHR), evidence points to a higher risk of CPSP compared to other surgeries of the same complexity performed in childhood[6]
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