Pain in children with cerebral palsy in the postoperative: perception of parents and health professionals

Abstract

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Children with cerebral palsy are affected by postoperative painful processes. These children's pain may be underestimated due to difficult communication especially when a specific tool is not used. The objective of this study was to evaluate the pain in children with cerebral palsy in postoperative orthopedic surgery and the pain perception of parents and health professionals. METHODS: It is a cross-sectional, observational study performed at Associacao de Apoio a Crianca Deficiente in Sao Paulo. Fifty-one children with cerebral palsy were recruited, aged between 6-15 years, 51 parents/caregivers and 51 health professionals. Pain assessment was measured by an observer during the routine procedures in which the child was manipulated. After the procedure, the observer asked health professionals and parents about the child's pain. RESULTS: Eighty-two percent of patients had postoperative pain, and of these, 50% had moderate and intense pain. In unarticulated patients, parents and caregivers had discordant perceptions from the observer in 65% of the cases (p=0.05) and health professionals had discordant responses in 75% (p<0.001). In communicative patients, parents had discordant responses from the observer in 58% of the cases (p=0.20) and health professionals had discordant responses in 55% of the cases (p=0.44). CONCLUSION: Children with cerebral palsy present moderate and intense pain in the postoperative period of orthopedic surgeries. In the hospital, it is more challenging to detect pain in unarticulated patients without the use of a specific scale, even by experienced parents or professionals.