Table 3.
Comparison of Postoperative Pain Between the Two Groups
| Group E (n = 99) | Group C (n =103) | Mean Difference (95% CI) | P Value | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FAS scores with grade A/B, n (%) | ||||
| T3 (at postoperative hour 12) | 55 (55.6) | 32 (31.1) | < 0.001 | |
| T4 (at postoperative hour 24) | 82 (82.8) | 69 (67.0) | 0.007 | |
| T5 (at postoperative hour 48) | 97 (98.0) | 85 (82.5) | < 0.001 | |
| T6 (at postoperative hour 72) | 98 (99.0) | 89 (86.4) | < 0.001 | |
| NRS pain scores at rest, mean (SD) | ||||
| T1 (at postoperative hour 2) | 1.0 (0.7) | 1.0 (0.7) | 0.0 (−0.2–0.2) | 0.844 |
| T2 (at postoperative hour 6)a | 1.2 (0.4)a | 1.3 (0.4)a | 0.0 (−0.2–0.1) | 0.511 |
| T3 (at postoperative hour 12)a | 1.7 (0.7)a | 1.8 (0.7)a | −0.1 (−0.3–0.1) | 0.279 |
| T4 (at postoperative hour 24)a | 1.5 (0.6)a | 1.6 (0.7)a | −0.1 (−0.3–0.1) | 0.276 |
| T5 (at postoperative hour 48)a | 0.8 (0.4)a | 0.9 (0.6)a | −0.3 (−0.4 – −0.1) | 0.001 |
| T6 (at postoperative hour 72)a | 0.7 (0.4)a | 0.6 (0.3)a | 0.0 (−0.2–0.1) | 0.611 |
| NRS pain scores when coughing, mean (SD) | ||||
| T1 (at postoperative hour 2) | 2.0 (0.7) | 2.0 (0.7) | 0.0 (−0.2–0.2) | 0.694 |
| T2 (at postoperative hour 6) | 2.3 (0.7)a | 2.3 (0.6)a | 0.0 (−0.2–0.2) | 0.880 |
| T3 (at postoperative hour 12) | 5.5 (1.0)a | 5.1 (0.8)a | 0.4 (0.1–0.7) | 0.011 |
| T4 (at postoperative hour 24) | 4.9 (0.8)a | 4.9 (0.7)a | 0.0 (−0.2–0.2) | 0.892 |
| T5 (at postoperative hour 48) | 4.4 (0.7)a | 4.2 (0.8)a | 0.2 (0.0–0.4) | 0.080 |
| T6 (at postoperative hour 72) | 4.1 (0.7)a | 4.0 (0.8)a | 0.2 (0.0–0.4) | 0.102 |
| AUC within 72 hours, mean (SD) | ||||
| NRS pain scores at rest | 71.5 (31.5) | 81.8 (33.9) | −10.3 (−19.4 – −1.2) | 0.027 |
| NRS pain scores when coughing | 308.0 (38.5) | 297.2 (46.6) | 10.7 (−1.2–22.6) | 0.077 |
Notes: Data are presented as mean (standard deviation), number (percentage), or median (interquartile range).
Abbreviations: Group E, S-ketamine group; Group C, control group; NRS: numerical rating scale; AUC: area under the curve of pain scores and time; FAS (functional activity score): Patients were regularly use the external vibration expectoration machine (a bolus dose would be given in advance) from postoperative hour 12 and FAS scores (Grade A: no limitation [pain does not limit functional activity at all]; Grade B: mild limitation [pain slightly limits functional activity]; Grade C: severe limitation [pain severely limits functional activity]) was used to evaluate the effect; SD: standard difference; CI: confidence interval; a P < 0.05 compared to TI.