Gender-related Difference in Intravenous Patient-controlled Analgesia for Postoperative Pain Control in Rotator Cuff Repair

Abstract

Purpose: This study examined the efficacy and gender-related difference of intravenous patient-controlled anesthesia (IV PCA) for postoperative pain control in patients undergoing rotator cuff repair. Materials and Methods: Forty-five patients undergoing rotator cuff repair had their postoperative pain controlled using IV-PCA. There are 21 males and 24 females. The results of the two groups were compared prospectively using a visual analogue scale score (VAS score) measured before and until 5 days after surgery, hospital stay, postoperative rehabilitation, additional analgesics consumption and medication-related adverse effects. Results: There was no difference in age, body mass index, tear size and operative time between the groups. The mean VAS scores measured before and until the 5th postoperative day were 7.6, 8.0, 5.2, 4.0, 4.0, 3.6 and 3.0. There was no statistically significant difference in VAS score on preoperative, immediate postoperative day and until 4th postoperative day. Significant pain relief was noted in the male group on the 5th postoperative day. In medication-related adverse effects encountered were constipation (35.6%), nausea (28.9%), dizziness (22.2%) and vomiting (15.6%). The consumption of additional analgesics was 1.7 and 3.6 times in the male and female group, respectively. Three (14.3%) and 5 (20.0%) patients in the male and female group, respectively, had their IV PCA stopped because of medication-related adverse effects. Although lower in the male group, there were no statistically significant differences in the medication-related adverse effects, additional analgesics consumption and stop IV PCA. Conclusion: There were gender-related differences in IV PCA for postoperative pain control in rotator cuff repair, such as a significant decrease in the VAS score on the 5th postoperative day and a shorter hospital stay in the male group.