[Evaluation of postoperative pain intensity after ear, nose, and throat surgery--the effect of intraoperative fentanyl use].

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to determine postoperative pain levels after ear, nose, and throat (ENT) surgery, and also to examine whether intraoperative fentanyl use during ENT surgery enhances the quality of postoperative pain control. METHODS: The distribution of pain scores and rescue analgesic requirements among 198 patients undergoing ENT surgery were examined. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent factors associated with moderate to severe postoperative pain (maximal pain score ≥ 5 on the numerical rating scale) and postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). RESULTS: 27.8% of patients experienced moderate to severe postoperative pain after ENT surgery. The distribution of postoperative pain levels was similar among procedures performed on different anatomical regions. Intraoperative fentanyl use was not associated with moderate to severe postoperative pain (adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) :1.03 (0.51-2.13))]. On the other hand, intraoperative fentanyl use was independently associated with PONV [3.10 (1.25-8.92); P = 0.0138]. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of moderate to severe postoperative pain after ENT surgery was approximately 28%. Intraoperative fentanyl use was not associated with a decreased incidence of moderate to severe postoperative pain, but was significantly associated with PONV.