Objective To explore the prevalence and risk factors of chronic postsurgical pain after surgery.

Methods 376 patients who received non-emergency surgery at Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University in February 2019 were included. Three months after surgery, a telephone questionnaire survey was conducted to assess the occurrence of chronic postsurgical pain and the mental status using hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS). For patients with chronic postsurgical pain, numerical rating scale (NRS) and Douleur Neuropathique 4 questions (DN4) were used to evaluate the intensity and nature of chronic postsurgical pain. The clinical data were retrospectively analyzed and multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the perioperative risk factors of chronic postsurgical pain.

Results 20.7%(78/376) patients developed chronic postsurgical pain, among whom moderate-to-severe pain accounted for 16.7%. Abdominal surgery (OR=3.148, 95% CI 1.047-9.467), preoperative chronic pain in non-surgical areas (OR=6.852, 95%CI 3.246-14.464), and operative duration over 3 hours (OR=2.803, 95%CI 1.089-7.217) were independent risk factors for chronic postsurgical pain.

Conclusions The prevalence of chronic postoperative pain after surgery is 20.7%, of which one in sixth moderate-to-severe pain. Abdominal surgery, preoperative chronic pain in non-surgical areas, and longer duration of operation are independent risk factors of chronic postsurgical pain.