1Post Graduate, Department of Anaesthesiology, Meenakshi Medical College Hospital & Research Institute, MAHER University, Kanchipuram. Email: manishakajla5520@gmail.com
2Professor and Head, Department of Anaesthesiology, Meenakshi Medical College Hospital & Research Institute, MAHER University, Kanchipuram
3Assistant Professor, Department of Anaesthesiology, Meenakshi Medical College Hospital & Research Institute, MAHER University, Kanchipuram
4Post Graduate, Department of Anaesthesiology, Meenakshi Medical College Hospital & Research Institute, MAHER University, Kanchipuram
Corresponding Author: Dr. Manisha Kajla, Post Graduate, Department of Anaesthesiology, Meenakshi Medical College Hospital & Research Institute, MAHER University, Kanchipuram. Email: manishakajla5520@gmail.com
Background: Postoperative pain management is an essential component of obstetric anaesthesia, particularly following surgical procedures such as caesarean section. Effective pain control improves maternal comfort, facilitates early mobilization, promotes breastfeeding, and enhances maternal–infant bonding. Multimodal analgesia has been increasingly recommended to improve analgesic effectiveness while reducing opioid related adverse effects.
Aim: To evaluate postoperative pain management practices and assess the effectiveness of commonly used analgesic regimens in obstetric patients.
Materials and Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted in the Department of Anaesthesia at a tertiary care teaching hospital attached to Meenakshi Medical College, Kanchipuram. A total of 100 obstetric patients who underwent surgical procedures were included in the study. Data regarding demographic characteristics, type of anaesthesia administered, postoperative analgesic regimens, and pain intensity were collected. Postoperative pain was assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale at different time intervals following surgery. Additional parameters such as requirement of rescue analgesia, postoperative complications, and patient satisfaction were also recorded. Statistical analysis was performed using appropriate statistical methods, and a p value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: The majority of patients were between 26 and 30 years of age. Spinal anaesthesia was the most commonly used technique (82%). Multimodal analgesia using paracetamol and nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drugs was the most frequently used postoperative analgesic regimen. The mean pain score decreased significantly from 4.8 ± 1.2 at 2 hours to 2.2 ± 0.8 at 24 hours after surgery (p < 0.001). Rescue analgesia was required in 28% of patients. Most patients reported high satisfaction with the postoperative pain management provided.
Conclusion: Multimodal analgesic strategies provide effective postoperative pain control in obstetric patients and are associated with improved patient satisfaction and recovery.
Keywords: Obstetric anaesthesia, postoperative pain management, multimodal analgesia, caesarean section, analgesic effectiveness.
How to cite this article: Kajla M, Thirumaaran UG, Janani SK, Vidhiya RS. Postoperative Pain Management in Obstetric Anaesthesia: A Cross-Sectional Evaluation of Analgesic Effectiveness. Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026;16(12s): 437-441. DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.12s.51
Source of support: Nil.
Conflict of interest: None