Severity Postoperative Pain Prediction

The purpose of this study would be to determine the predictive value of a simple to perform
preoperative evaluation in assessing level of anxiety, anticipated pain and the intensity
rating of an audio tone to predict level of postoperative pain after surgery.

Study Design: A total of 400 evaluable patients will be studied using the various surgical
populations listed. For statistical purposes, the following will be the surgical population
by procedure. Two hundred healthy ASA I-II women scheduled for elective cesarean section, one
hundred scheduled for elective postpartum tubal ligations, and one hundred scheduled for
elective inpatient gynecological surgeries (such as total vaginal hysterectomy, total
abdominal hysterectomy) will be consented and enrolled in the study. Normal baseline vital
signs will be obtained and recorded as part of usual preoperative assessment for these
patients. The patients will be asked about their current level of pain and to rate the
intensity of a series of audio tones. At 18-24 hours postoperatively, and again at 36-48
hours postoperatively if applicable, research personnel will evaluate the severity of
postoperative pain the patient has at rest and with movement (from supine to sitting
upright), using a sliding pain scale from 0 to 100 mm, with 0 being no pain and 100 being the
worst pain ever. Information on drug administered in the preoperative, intraoperative and
postoperative period will be collected and recorded. The subject can also choose to allow us
to follow-up with them in the future to evaluate current residual postoperative pain levels
as needed.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Healthy ASA physical status class 1 or 2

- Aged 18 years or above

- Pregnant with intrauterine pregnancy of at least 36 weeks for cesarean sections

Exclusion Criteria:

- ASA >3

- < 36 weeks for Cesarean Section

- < 18 years of age