The Effects of Add-On Self-Care Therapy on Epidural Catheter Analgesia and Pain in Patients after Surgical Stabilization of Multiple Rib Fractures

Background: Epidural (EPI) catheter analgesia is frequently prescribed as a regional analgesic technique to patients with multiple rib fractures (MRF) following surgical stabilization of rib fractures (SSRF).

Aims: We aimed to study the effect of add-on self-care therapy on recovery and quality of life (QoL) in patients on EPI analgesia after surgical stabilization of rib fractures (SSRF).

Design/settings/participants/subjects: A total of 267 eligible patients with MRF who received EPI catheter analgesia after SSRF were recruited, and assigned to one of two groups in a random fashion: intervention group received education on self-care therapy, while the control group did not.

Methods: Pain scores, incentive spirometry (IS) volumes, oxygen saturation (SpO2), respiratory rate, hospital length of stay (LoS) and QoL were evaluated.

Results: Compared with control group, the intervention group showed significantly improved pain scores, IS volume, respiratory rate, and SpO2. Hospital LoS was shorter for the intervention group than the control group. Overall QoL scores in the intervention group were also significantly better than control patients.

Conclusions: Education on self-care therapy significantly benefited pain management, recovery, and QoL for patients with MRF who received EPI catheter analgesia after SSRF operation.