Grant: Master's Award: Canada Graduate Scholarships

LAY TITLE: Understanding the transition from acute to chronic pain in children after major surgery. WHY IS THIS STUDY BEING DONE? Acute pain is an expected outcome for children following surgery; however, when this pain persists, the consequences are extensive, such as longer recovery, changes to normal childhood development, and increased health care costs. Unfortunately, 11-22% of children undergoing major surgery go on to have chronic pain. It is necessary to identify the factors involved in the development of pediatric chronic post-surgical pain in order to prevent pain and the associated detrimental outcomes. HOW IS THE STUDY BEING DONE? This research study will follow children undergoing major surgery beginning a week before surgery and for 12-months after. While in hospital, children will answer questions on their pain and mental health, and wear a device to measure daily activity. Questions on pain and mental health will be repeated 6 and 12 months after surgery. The information collected will be analyzed to identify which children develop chronic pain and to understand why. HOW WILL THE RESULTS IMPACT PATIENTS? It is necessary to identify children who are at risk for chronic pain after major surgery in order to develop ways to prevent and manage the transition from acute to chronic pain among these children. Ultimately this will help to improve pediatric surgical outcomes as well as reduce the overall economic burden it causes for their family and society.