Nursing Interventions for pain management after liver transplantation: an Integrative Evidence Review

Abstract

Introduction: Pain management in liver transplant recipients is a significant clinical challenge and can have a direct impact on a patient's functional recovery, comfort, and quality of life. The continuous proximity of the nurse is a privileged role for early and proper intervention towards the patient's needs, contributing to a more humanized care and resulting in health gains.

Objectives: This review aims to synthesize the available evidence on nursing interventions for pain management in liver transplant recipients during the postoperative period.

Material and Methods: An integrative literature review was conducted using the CINAHL, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, MedicLatina, and RCAAP databases between July and August 2025. The PRISMA methodology was adopted for article selection. Inclusion criteria considered were articles in English, Portuguese, or Spanish, published between 2021 and 2025, with full text available.

Results: From 940 articles initially identified, 8 final articles were selected for analysis.

Interventions focused on prevention, such as systematic pain assessment, antalgic positioning, mobilization, and respiratory training, are suggested and associated with short- and long-term clinical gains. Similarly, multimodal pharmacological strategies are recommended instead of opioid use.

Conclusions: Despite the scarcity of specific studies, the evidence points to a crucial role for nurses in operationalizing multimodal strategies through their management and administration, and autonomous and humanized nursing interventions in pain management, with a positive impact on the recovery and quality of life of transplant recipients.