Anaesthetic drugs & techniques
Incidence and predictors of postoperative recall of propofol injection pain: a prospective observational cohort pilot study
Authors' conclusion
Approximately 10% of patients recalled propofol injection pain on POD#1, typically as severe pain. Female sex showed an unadjusted association with recall, whereas injection technique and observed nociceptive reactions did not.
Study context
- Population
- Adults undergoing low- to intermediate-risk noncardiac surgery with i.v. propofol induction, single tertiary centre, March–August 2025with POD#1 data
- Participants
- 1,043 adults
- Outcome
- Patient-reported recall of propofol injection pain (structured interview)
- Follow-up
- POD#1
Methodological detailspilot, single-centre
- Pilot
- Single-centre
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Recall of propofol injection pain on POD#1
Patients with POD#1 data
9.8%
102 events
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Secondary outcomes
| Outcome | Values |
|---|---|
| Recalled pain intensity (NRS 0-10), patients with recall | Patients with recall median 7 (IQR 5–9) /10 |
- Recalled pain intensity (NRS 0-10), patients with recall — Rated pain equal to or worse than i.v. cannulation
- 99%
Predictors of recall (univariate, unadjusted)
- Recall more frequent in women
- Catheter site, gauge and lidocaine use: no unadjusted association with recall
- Nociceptive reactions frequent but did not differentiate patients with and without recall
- Univariate, exploratory, unadjusted
Original publication
Incidence and predictors of postoperative recall of propofol injection pain: a prospective observational cohort pilot study. BJA Open. Published 27 February 2026. doi:10.
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