Symptom distress at home
Pain
Patients’ self-rated pain level was low at home with the top
pain level occurring one week postoperatively (Fig. 3). The
preoperative median pain level rate (2Æ0) was similar to the
pain level two and three weeks postoperatively and somewhat
higher than four weeks postoperatively. The pain
experience was mainly described as dull pain chiefly located
above os pubis.
Paracetamol was the main drug used for pain management
at home, and this proved to be effective in 80–90% of the
patients. Patients’ mean satisfaction with pain management
(range 1–10, 10 = most satisfied) was 7Æ2, 8Æ0, 8Æ1 and 8Æ4
one–four weeks postoperatively, respectively.