Enhancing pain management and psychological recovery in earthquake victims: the role of continuous regional analgesic techniques assessed by QoR-15

Abstract

Background/Objectives: After the earthquakes in Turkey, many citizens were injured, and a long ongoing process requiring physiological and psychological treatments began. The aim of this study was to observe the pain and psychological changes in earthquake victims in light of the QoR-15 score. Methods: After approval by the local ethics committee (Decision No. 2023-194), earthquake victims with catheters in trauma and reconstructive surgery were retrospectively evaluated. Demographic and catheterization data were collected. Baseline, 24 h, 72 h QoR-15 (Quality of Recovery-15), and VAS (Visual Analog Scala) scores were compared for changes over time. Results: A total of 40 catheters were placed in 29 patients (after the exclusion of children, 36 catheters were evaluated in 26 (15 w/11 m) patients). The mean age of the patients was 35.57 +/- 13.69 years, and the duration of catheterization was 8 (4.25-12.75) days. An infusion of 0.1% bupivacaine 0.5-1 mg/kg/24 h was started routinely. The QoR-15 scores of the patients at baseline, 24 h, and 72 h were 80.45 +/- 17.76, 95.27 +/- 15.16, and 101.06 +/- 15.52, respectively (p < 0.001). The VAS scores of the patients at baseline, 24 h, and 72 h were 4.61 +/- 1.41, 1.79 +/- 1.36, and 0.76 +/- 0.86, respectively (p < 0.001). Conclusions: In this study, a significant improvement in QoR-15 and VAS scores was achieved as a result of catheter insertion in earthquake victims. Considering that post-traumatic injuries require repeated surgeries and that pain aggravates the existing psychological state, it can be said that catheterization is beneficial.