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. 2023 Oct 20;23:348. doi: 10.1186/s12871-023-02310-x

Table 3.

Opioid requirements and other variables in the PACU

Parameter Control group (N = 53) Education group (N = 51) Difference in medians (95% CI) p value
Index opioid administrationa 21 (39.6%) 26 (51.0%) 0.793 (0.537, 1.171) 0.245
Additional analgesic request after index opioid administrationb 3 (5.7%) 0 (0%) N/A 0.129
Postoperative pain, NRSmax (0–10) 2 [2–4] 4 [2–5] 0 (-1, 0) 0.362

NRS severityc

(none / mild / moderate to severe)

8 / 25 / 20

(15.9% /47.2% /37.7%)

8 / 17/ 26

(15.7% / 33.3% / 51.0%)

N/A 0.322
Nasal dressing change event 9 (17.0%) 8 (15.7%) N/A 0.858
PONV 5 (9.4%) 1 (2.0%) N/A 0.206
RASS ≥ 1 2 (3.8%) 4 (7.8%) N/A 0.374

Values are the median [IQR] or number (%)

Maximum degree of postoperative pain was recorded during PACU stay using a numeric rating scale (NRSmax), 0 to 10

CI confidence interval, IQR interquartile range, PONV postoperative nausea and vomiting, RASS Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale

a Index opioid refers to fentanyl

b Additional analgesic includes opioid, acetaminophen, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

c Pain severity was defined using NRS: mild: 1 to 3, moderate: 4 to 6. Severe: 7 to 10