Postoperative Pain Assessment for Upper Lid Blepharoplasty in Asians

Abstract

This study was undertaken to investigate the pain intensity, time to peak of pain, bruise, swelling, itching, life limitation, blurred vision, and duration of pain after upper lid blepharoplasty using a survey of pain scale, and to provide objective evidence to aid in education and preoperative counseling of our patients. After upper lid blepharoplasty under local anesthesia, patients were asked to rate their pain on a standardized 11-point pain scale (0-10). After pain assessment of the immediate postoperative period, the evaluation was repeated after 2 to 4 hours, 24 hours, 2 days, 3 days, 7 days, and 1 month. Time to peak of pain, bruise, swelling, itching, life limitation, and blurred vision after surgery were investigated. A total of 60 eyelids (30 patients) were included. Average pain score during the immediate postoperative period was 3.5 in males and 2.2 in females. Pain measurement was maintained up to 7 days after surgery. A significant difference in these pain scores according to gender was observed during the immediate postoperative period and up to 24 hours after surgery. Time to peak after upper lid blepharoplasty was as follows: pain 4.4 hours; swelling 17.3 hours; bruise 33.6 hours; itching 21.1 hours; limitation of life 16.6 hours; and blurred vision 8.7 hours. Most severe pain was observed during the immediate postoperative period and up to 2 to 4 hours after surgery. Pain after upper lid blepharoplasty was mostly mild to moderate and did not exceed a score of 4, which would require reevaluation, and could remain persistent for up to 7 days after surgery. Specific pain-targeted assessment and treatment based on these results are warranted.