The application value of early postoperative pain management (EPPM) combined with skin temperature monitoring (STM) after flap repair of soft tissue defects in the lower limbs: a non-randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND

Flap repair is often required when repairing soft tissue defects in the lower limbs. Although early postoperative pain management (EPPM) can improve postoperative comfort and rest efficiency, and reduce the probability of complications, it cannot detect tissue blood circulation disorders in time. The purpose of this study was to explore the application value of EPPM combined with skin temperature monitoring (STM) after flap repair of soft tissue defects in the lower limbs.

METHODS

We retrospectively collected the data of 101 patients who underwent lower limb soft tissue defect flap repair, which were divided into the EPPM group (n=50 cases) and the EPPM-STM group (n=51 cases). The EPPM group was given early postoperative pain management, and the EPPM-STM group was given additional skin temperature monitoring on the basis of the EPPM group. The clinical effect, reoperation rate, flap survival rate, pain score, postoperative quality of life and mental resilience, and complications were analyzed and compared.

RESULTS

The average healing time of the EPPM-STM group was significantly lower compared with the EPPM group, and the serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels were significantly lower after the intervention (t=7.418, 3.447, 7.472; P<0.001, =0.001, <0.001). Compared with the EPPM group, the reoperation rate and complication rate in the EPPM-STM group were significantly lower, and the flap survival rate was significantly higher (χ2=6.966, 7.358; P=0.008, 0.007). The pain scores of the EPPM-STM group were significantly lower than those of the EPPM group after intervention (At 3 days: t=4.723; P<0.001. At 5 days: t=5.261; P<0.001), while the mental resilience and quality of life scores were significantly higher (t=-12.942, -9.975; P<0.001, <0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that the postoperative management methods and the area of the flap defect were independent risk factors that affected the survival of the flap (t=7.358, 4.819; P=0.007, 0.028).

CONCLUSIONS

EPPM combined with STM can increase the speed of postoperative healing, increase the survival rate of skin flaps, reduce the rate of reoperation and complications, and improve the quality of life and mental resilience of patients who undergo flap repair.