Impact of patient-centered care (PCC)-based personalized interventions on postoperative pain management and recovery in children undergoing adenotonsillectomy: A retrospective study

Abstract

Objective

To evaluate the impact of patient-centered care (PCC)-based personalized interventions on postoperative pain management and recovery outcomes in children undergoing adenotonsillectomy.

Methods

A single-center retrospective cohort study was conducted at a tertiary hospital from January 2023 to March 2025, involving 216 children aged 3–12 years. Participants were divided into a PCC intervention group (n = 108) and a routine care group (n = 108). The PCC protocol included individualized pain education, non-pharmacological interventions (cold therapy, distraction techniques), and family-involved decision-making. Data on pain scores (FLACC/FACES scales), analgesic use, hospitalization duration, and complications within 48 h postoperatively were extracted from electronic medical records. Group differences were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA, multivariate regression, and subgroup analyses.

Results

The PCC group demonstrated significantly lower pain scores at 6 h, 24 h, and 48 h compared to controls (all P < 0.001). Daily acetaminophen and ibuprofen doses were reduced by 19.2 % and 55 %, respectively (both P < 0.001). Median pain relief time was 2.6 h shorter in the PCC group (3.2 h vs. 5.8 h, P < 0.001). Hospitalization duration decreased by 5.5 h (18.5 h vs. 24.0 h, P < 0.001), and overall complication risk was reduced (OR = 0.31, P < 0.001). Subgroup analysis revealed greater benefits in children aged 3–6 years, with a 28.6 % shorter hospitalization (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

PCC-based personalized interventions effectively alleviate postoperative pain, reduce analgesic dependence, and accelerate recovery, particularly in younger children. This model provides an evidence-based framework for optimizing pain management in pediatric ambulatory surgery.