An Observational study on Chronic Post Surgical Pain in children undergoing unilateral inguinal hernia surgery

This study is an observational prospective study on chronic postsurgical pain in children undergoing unilateral inguinal hernia surgery. ASAgrade I & II children aged 2-8 years undergoing unilateral inguinal herniasurgeries under general anaesthesia were included in the study population. After pre anaestheticcheckup written informed consent was taken from parents/guardian of the patients.  Anaesthesia was administered the institutional protocols including oral midazolam (0.5mg/kg) administered 30 minutes prior to surgery & surgery was conducted under GAwith any of the three blocks (Caudal, INB, PVB) as per the choice of theconsultant anaesthesiologist. Patients were shifted to the recovery room aftersurgery and acute post operative pain was assessed by observation of FLACC (Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability) Score at 0, 2, 4, 6, 12 and 24 hours. They were followed up at three months following surgery for assessment of chronic postsurgical pain using revised Bieri’s faces pain scale. Various factors were studied for any association with chronic postsurgical pain including - age, gender, duration of surgery, surgeon’s experience, anaesthetic technique used, and acute postoperative pain.