Pain Characteristics and Pain Interference Among Patients Undergoing Open Cardiac Surgery.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to analyze postoperative pain severity, pain characteristics, and factors that affect pain for patients undergoing open cardiac surgery.

DESIGN: A descriptive, cross-sectional study design was used.

METHODS: This study was conducted on 70 patients who underwent open cardiac surgery at a state hospital in North Cyprus. Data were gathered using the Patient Information Form and Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form.

FINDINGS: Patients who underwent open cardiac surgery experienced severe pain. Postoperative pain had a negative impact on deep breathing, coughing, and physical exercise. The patients' postoperative pain severity and postoperative pain interference show a statistically significant relationship between gender, alcohol consumption, prior surgical experience, and satisfaction with pain management (P < .05). A moderately positive and statistically significant correlation was found between the worst pain intensity of the patients in the last 24 hours and their pain interference (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS: Patients with open cardiac surgery experienced severe pain that restricted their activities. Patients should be informed about pain characteristics they will experience and effective pain management methods to reduce pain.