Comparison of Multimodal versus Conventional Analgesia for Postoperative Pain and Early Recovery after Cesarean Section
Md. Anisur Rahman, Imam Siddique Sahitya, Janifa Jamal, Tasfia Mahmood Chowdhury
Abstract
Background: Cesarean section is associated with moderate-to-severe postoperative pain, which may interfere with early maternal mobilization, breastfeeding, oral intake, maternal-infant interaction and overall postoperative recovery. Multimodal analgesia, incorporating neuraxial opioid analgesia with scheduled non-opioid analgesics and limited rescue opioid administration, has become an important component of enhanced recovery after cesarean delivery (ERAC). However, implementation and effectiveness may vary according to institutional practice and available resources. This study compared postoperative pain and early recovery following cesarean section between women receiving a multimodal/ERAC analgesic protocol and those receiving conventional postoperative analgesic management. Methods: This comparative clinical study was conducted at the Department of Anesthesia, 250 Bedded Hospital, Lalmonirhat, Rangpur, Bangladesh, from July 2025 to June 2026. A total of 100 women undergoing elective or uncomplicated cesarean section under spinal anesthesia were equally allocated to multimodal/ERAC analgesia (Group A, n=50) or conventional analgesia (Group B, n=50). Pain was assessed using a 0–10 VAS/NRS at 2, 6, 12 and 24 hours. Secondary outcomes included recovery parameters, rescue analgesic use, adverse effects, breastfeeding, hospital stay and maternal satisfaction. Results: Baseline demographic and obstetric characteristics were comparable between groups. Mean pain scores were significantly lower in Group A at 6, 12 and 24 hours. At 24 hours, the mean pain score was 2.2 ± 0.8 in Group A compared with 3.1 ± 1.0 in Group B (P<0.001). The multimodal group also demonstrated earlier ambulation (10.8 ± 3.1 vs. 14.7 ± 4.2 hours), earlier oral intake (3.8 ± 1.1 vs. 5.2 ± 1.5 hours), earlier catheter removal (10.4 ± 2.5 vs. 15.1 ± 3.8 hours), earlier spontaneous voiding (12.7 ± 3.0 vs. 17.5 ± 4.0 hours), lower rescue opioid requirement and shorter hospital stay. Maternal satisfaction was higher in the multimodal group. Nausea, vomiting and pruritus were slightly more frequent in Group A, consistent with exposure to neuraxial opioid, although serious adverse events were uncommon. Conclusion: A multimodal/ERAC analgesic strategy was associated with better postoperative pain control while facilitating earlier mobilization, oral intake, urinary recovery, breastfeeding and hospital discharge after uncomplicated cesarean section. Multimodal analgesia may therefore represent an effective opioid-sparing approach to postoperative cesarean care.