Incidence, predictors, and impact of acute post-operative pain after cranial neurosurgery: A prospective cohort study.

Objectives:Pain is common after craniotomy. Its incidence and predictors in developing nations are not adequately studied. We aimed to assess the incidence, predictors, and impact of acute post-operative pain after intracranial neurosurgeries. Materials and Methods:This prospective observational study was conducted in adult patients undergoing intracranial neurosurgeries. After patient consent, ethics committee approval, and study registration, we assessed the incidence of post-operative pain using numerical rating scale (NRS) score. Predictors and impact of pain on patient outcomes were also evaluated. Results:A total of 497 patients were recruited during 10-month study period. Significant (4-10 NRS score) post-operative pain at any time-point during the first 3 days after intracranial neurosurgery was reported by 65.5% (307/469) of patients. Incidence of significant pain during the 1 ststndrdstPPPPConclusion:Every two in three patients undergoing elective intracranial neurosurgery report significant pain at some point during the first 3 postoperative days. Pre-operative pain and pain during 1 st