Effect of Patient-Anesthesiologist Gender Concordance and Analgesia Method on Postoperative Pain in Mastectomy Patients

Overview

This prospective observational study aims to evaluate the effect of anesthesiologist gender and patient-anesthesiologist gender concordance, as well as the analgesia method, on postoperative pain levels and analgesic requirements in patients undergoing elective mastectomy for breast cancer. The study will also investigate the impact of these factors on intraoperative and postoperative anesthesia-related complications. Findings are expected to contribute to the understanding of gender-based differences in patient outcomes and guide improvements in perioperative care.

This study will be conducted at Dr. Abdurrahman Yurtaslan Oncology Training and Research Hospital and will include patients aged 18 years and older who are scheduled for elective mastectomy due to breast cancer. The primary objective is to assess whether the gender of the anesthesiologist and the gender concordance between patient and anesthesiologist influence postoperative pain scores, total analgesic consumption, the need for additional analgesics, and anesthesia-related complications. The study will also examine the role of different analgesia methods (nerve block, PCA, intravenous analgesics) in these relationships. Patient and anesthesiologist assignments will follow the hospital's routine workflow, with no intervention by the research team. All data will be collected prospectively using standardized forms, including demographic information, surgical and anesthesia details, and postoperative outcomes. Pain will be assessed at multiple time points using validated scales (VAS or NRS), and patient satisfaction with anesthesia and pain management will be measured using a Likert scale. A minimum of 120 patients will be enrolled based on power analysis. Inclusion criteria are: age 18 or older, ASA score 1-3, complete pre- and postoperative data, and informed consent. Exclusion criteria include emergency surgery, incomplete or erroneous data, and concurrent major surgery. Statistical analyses will include descriptive statistics, chi-square or Fisher's exact test for categorical variables, t-test or Mann-Whitney U test for continuous variables, and multivariate logistic regression to assess independent effects. The study is entirely observational, with no changes to standard patient care.