Background: Analgesics can avoid postoperative pain. The aim of this study was to evaluate their prescription after abdominal surgery.
Patients and methods: Prospective study including patients who had undergone abdominal surgery in two hospitals in Barcelona, in 1993. Prescription and administration of analgesic drugs, and pain severity during the first 48 hours of the postoperative period were evaluated.
Results: One hundred and sixty-four patients (83 men) were included. The most frequently prescribed drugs were metamizol (111; 68%), pethidine (83, 51%), and diclofenac (44; 27%). A high percentage of analgesic prescriptions on an "as needed" basis was recorded. Administered doses were lower than those recommended, and lower than those prescribed. Fifty-three percent of patients suffered significant pain during the first day.
Conclusion: A too low proportion of analgesic drugs is prescribed in a predetermined schedule, in contrast to "as needed" prescription. Opiate derivatives are underused. All analgesic drugs are prescribed at inadequate dosage. This prescription pattern is associated with a high prevalence of postoperative pain.