Different titration protocols in pain management after radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer patients

Table 2 Comparison of postoperative pain management regimens, %

Outcome measure	12-hour titration regimen, n = 52	24-hour titration regimen, n = 68	P value
VAS score at 12 hours postoperatively	3.2	4.8	< 0.001
Rescue analgesic doses in first 24 hours	1.2	2.1	0.005
Time to first analgesic request, hours	3.5	2.1	0.003
Time to independent ambulation, hours	18.5	24.2	0.008
Pulmonary complications	4.8	11.2	0.031
Postoperative ileus incidence	7.7	16.2	0.042
Time to first flatus, hours	38.4	46.7	0.012
Time to initiation of oral nutrition, days	2.3	3.1	0.009
Compliance with early rehabilitation protocols	85.6	67.3	0.004

VAS: Visual Analog Scale.