Comparison of predicted and perceived pain from epidural and spinal puncture in patients undergoing elective caesarean section

Anaesth Intensive Care. 2011 Jul;39(4):646-9. doi: 10.1177/0310057X1103900418.

Abstract

The intensity of pain expected by patients before an epidural and/or a spinal puncture is uncertain. The main purpose of this study was to identify and compare the intensity of pain predicted and perceived by patients having an epidural and a spinal procedure. After screening for relevant exclusion criteria, 50 women who were undergoing elective caesarean section under combined spinal-epidural anaesthesia (double-segment technique) were enrolled in the study. Infiltration anaesthesia prior to needle insertion was performed for the epidural but not the spinal puncture. Pain assessments, using a 100 mm visual analogue pain scale, were made before (predicted pain) and after (perceived pain) the epidural and the spinal puncture. Predicted pain for epidural and spinal insertion (epidural 60.6 +/- 20.5 mm, spinal: 55.1 +/- 24 mm) was significantly higher than the pain perceived (epidural 36.3 +/- 20 mm, spinal 46.1 +/- 23.2 mm) (epidural P < 0.001, spinal P = 0.031). Patients who were scheduled for an elective caesarean section under combined spinal-epidural anaesthesia predicted 1.2- to 1.7-fold stronger pain intensity than they perceived during the procedure. Patients should be informed that a regional anaesthetic, especially epidural, procedure is often less painful than the patient's expectation.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anesthesia, Epidural / adverse effects*
  • Anesthesia, Obstetrical / adverse effects*
  • Anesthesia, Spinal / adverse effects*
  • Cesarean Section*
  • Elective Surgical Procedures*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Needles
  • Pain / etiology*
  • Pain / psychology
  • Pain Measurement*
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Pregnancy