Dr Aditya Kuravi, Clinical Director for Theatres, Anaesthetics and Critical Care at Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust, was Principal Investigator for the patient reported outcomes, postoperative pain and pain relief after day case surgery (POPPY) study.

The study is being led by Chief Investigator Dr Mark Rockett, Consultant Anaesthetist and Specialist in Pain Medicine at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth.

It will provide information that may be used to improve care of patients having day-case operations and plan future research studies aimed to prevent persistent pain and long-term use of strong painkillers.

Dr Kuravi led a team of anaesthetists with the support of Research Nurse Joanna Butler and Walsall’s FORCE (Faculty of Research and Clinical Education) team, in collaboration with Practice Education Facilitators Kamtsitsi Pangani and Sarah Steven-Madumere from The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust (RWT).

This is the first time that Walsall has collaborated so closely with RWT to deliver a research study and Wolverhampton colleagues’ knowledge and skills were integral in making it such a success.  The partnership is being seen as a springboard for continued collaboration to improve outcomes for patients across the Black Country.

On the day of their surgery, adult patients were approached in the arrivals lounge, and their data on postoperative pain and pain relief was collected. One of the primary objectives of the study was to investigate how often patients continue to take strong painkillers after their surgery and what factors make it more or less likely.

Dr Kuravi said: “The study’s findings will hopefully have an impact on how patients’ pain is managed in the future, and we’d like to thank the 40 Walsall participants who joined people from more than 100 hospitals to take part in this national research opportunity.

“Approximately three out of every four operations in the UK are performed as day-cases, with the patient going home on the same day of surgery. As hospitals don’t usually follow up patients after day-case operations we don’t know much about their short or long-term recovery.

“We do know, however, that some patients –  even those who have had minor surgery – can develop persistent pain afterwards that can continue for months or even years. If these patients end up taking strong painkillers for a prolonged period they are at risk of serious side effects and long-term health problems.

“Pain management can have a significant impact on people’s quality of life so the study is an important one and results will help us plan future research aimed at preventing persistent pain and long-term use of strong painkillers.”

The study took place during January this year and participants completed questionnaires via links on their smart phones at home after their surgery.

Any who report ongoing pain at day 97 will be invited to take part in a structured interview to understand their experience in more depth.