POSTOPERATIVE PAIN EXPERIENCE OF MEN AFTER UROLOGICAL SURGERY AT THE KORLE BU TEACHING HOSPITAL

ABSTRACT

Post-operative pain (POP) is a global phenomenon of concern, associated with Genito-urinary surgeries and has multidimensional effect. The study aimed at exploring the POP experiences of men after urological surgery at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital. The qualitative exploratory-descriptive design was used with twelve (12) participants purposively sampled. One-on-one interviews were conducted with a semi-structured interview guide and audiotaped. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed concurrently using thematic content analysis. Under the guidance of the adapted multidimensional model of cancer pain by Ahles & Martins in 1992, six (6) themes emerged. They are the sensory characteristics of the pain, the cognitive, behavioural, affective and socio-cultural dimensions and Pain management experiences. The participants experienced moderate to severe pain at the incisional site, in their lower abdomen and penis. Descriptors used include: boiling, burning, throbbing and dull; others likened the pain to analogues such as ‘been cut with a cutlass or knife’. The pain was predominantly ‘on & off’ and increases within the first week post-surgery in the urethra; but pain assessments were irregular. The POP was considered as normal, with limited education concerning pain received. The cognitive and behavioural coping strategies were employed by the participants, who expressed their pain verbally or through pain behaviours. As a consequence, sleep was predominantly affected by the pain, as participants elicited negative emotional responses. Additionally, the sociocultural context and views influenced their pain response and management. Intravenous infusions and subsequent oral medications were administered, non-pharmacological management was limited. It is recommended that regular pain assessment and surgery-specific multimodal approach should be employed for effective pain management.