Recovery After Upper Extrimety Surgery

Cognitive recovery was assessed using the cognitive domain of the Postoperative Quality of Recovery Scale (PQRS). The domain included orientation, forward digit recall, backward digit recall, word recall, and word generation. Each participant's postoperative performance was compared with that participant's preoperative baseline using the PQRS recovery criteria. A participant was classiMed as cognitively recovered when all applicable cognitive subtests met the recovery criteria. The outcome was reported as the number and percentage of participants cognitively recovered

Cognitive recovery was assessed using the Mve PQRS cognitive subtests: orientation, forward digit recall, backward digit recall, word recall, and word generation. Postoperative performance was compared with each participant's own preoperative baseline using the PQRS recovery criteria. The outcome was reported as the number and percentage of participants cognitively recovered at each time point.

Overall recovery was assessed using the applicable domains of the PQRS (physiological recovery, nociception, emotional recovery, cognition, activities of daily living, and overall patient perspective). Participants were classified as having achieved overall recovery when recovery criteria were met in all applicable PQRS domains, based on comparison with the participant's preoperative baseline where applicable. The outcome was reported as the number and percentage of participants achieving overall recovery.

Physiological recovery was assessed from the PQRS physiological domain, which incorporates systolic blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, oxygen requirement, airway maintenance, agitation, level of consciousness, and ability to follow a simple command. Recovery was determined according to predefined PQRS physiological recovery criteria. Participants were classified as physiologically recovered when all applicable physiological recovery criteria were met. The outcome was reported as the number and percentage of participants meeting PQRS physiological recovery criteria.

Pain was rated using the PQRS nociceptive-domain pain item on a five-category scale: 1, no pain; 2, mild pain; 3, moderate pain; 4, severe pain; and 5, worst imaginable pain. Lower scores indicated less pain. The outcome was reported as pain severity score at each postoperative assessment.

Emotional recovery was assessed using separate PQRS ratings for depression or sadness and anxiety or nervousness. Each item ranged from 1, not at all, to 5, extreme symptoms, with lower scores indicating better emotional status. Recovery was determined according to PQRS emotional recovery criteria by comparison with the participant's preoperative baseline. The outcome was reported as the number and percentage of participants meeting emotional recovery criteria.

Nausea, retching, and vomiting were assessed using the PQRS nociceptive-domain nausea and vomiting item. Scores ranged from 1, no nausea, retching, or vomiting, to 5, continuous retching or vomiting. Lower scores indicated fewer symptoms. Nausea and vomiting severity scores were assessed and summarized at each postoperative time point.

Activities of daily living were assessed through the participant's ability to stand, walk, eat and drink, and dress without assistance. Each activity was rated as 1, unable; 2, able with difficulty; or 3, able with ease. Higher scores indicated better function. Recovery was determined according to PQRS activities of daily living recovery criteria by comparison with the participant's preoperative baseline. Participants were classified as recovered when all applicable activities met recovery criteria. The outcome was reported as the number and percentage of participants meeting activities of daily living recovery criteria.

The PQRS overall-perspective domain assessed the perceived effect of surgery on the participant's overall perspective of recovery and satisfaction with anesthesia. Items were rated on five-category scales, with lower scores indicating less negative impact or greater satisfaction. Recovery was determined according to PQRS overall-perspective recovery criteria. The outcome was reported as the number and percentage of participants meeting overall-perspective recovery criteria at each postoperative assessment.