This randomized controlled study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of using a pain diary in the assessment of early postoperative pain in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Patients will be randomly assigned to a pain diary group or a control group receiving routine pain assessment. Postoperative pain intensity will be measured at predefined time points using standardized pain assessment tools. The study seeks to improve patient participation in postoperative pain evaluation without introducing additional pharmacological interventions.

This is a single-center, randomized controlled trial conducted in patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Eligible patients are randomly assigned to either the intervention group or the control group using a block randomization method.

In the intervention group, postoperative pain assessment is performed using a patient-completed pain diary. The pain diary is developed based on the literature and expert opinions and is introduced to patients during the preoperative period. Patients are instructed on how to complete the pain diary, and pain intensity is recorded at rest and during movement at predefined postoperative time points.

In the control group, postoperative pain assessment is carried out using routine clinical practice with the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Pain assessments are performed at the same postoperative time points as in the intervention group.

Additional pain-related assessments are conducted in both groups during the postoperative period. To minimize contamination between groups, patients in the intervention and control groups are followed in separate hospital rooms. Due to the visible nature of the pain diary, blinding is not feasible in this study.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Admitted for elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy
2. Scheduled for first-time laparoscopic cholecystectomy
3. Aged 18 years or older
4. Able to speak, read, and understand Turkish
5. Literate
6. Communicative and cooperative
7. ASA score of 1, 2, or 3
8. Expected to stay at least 24 hours in the hospital post-surgery
9. Capable of understanding study instructions
10. Willing to participate voluntarily

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Prolonged stay in the recovery unit due to extended effects of general anesthesia
2. Admission to intensive care unit postoperatively
3. Having chronic pain and receiving treatment for it
4. Being a cancer patient
5. Having a writing disability
6. Inability to communicate
7. Having cognitive, affective, verbal, visual, or auditory impairments
8. Diagnosed psychiatric disorders such as anxiety or depression and using related medications
9. Choosing to withdraw from the study after giving consent

The specific individual patient data collected in this study include patient first and last names, signed informed consent forms, socio-demographic information (age, gender, etc.), medical history, and postoperative pain diary data. These data will be used solely for research purposes and shared in accordance with confidentiality principles

Individual patient data and supporting information will be accessible from the date patients provide informed consent prior to surgery, throughout the data collection period, and for at least 5 years following study completion, stored in accordance with confidentiality principles

Individual patient data and supporting information will be accessible only to the study research team. The research team will have access to patient names, surnames, socio-demographic information, medical history, and pain diary data via a secure, password-protected electronic database. The data will be used solely for study purposes and will not be shared with third parties

No masking is performed in this study; both participants and researchers are aware of group assignments.