Postoperative pain

What is postoperative pain?

Postoperative pain is pain that arises after undergoing surgery. Depending on the duration of the operation, the area to be treated, the actions performed on the body and the type of anesthesia administered, the patient will suffer to a greater or lesser degree. The body usually releases the so-called algogenic or pain-producing substances that are manifested when there is an injury or direct trauma to a tissue that causes damage to the cells. These substances activate or sensitize the nociceptors, that is, the pain receptors that once activated transmit the pain signal to the central nervous system through the spinal cord.

What are the symptoms?

Postoperative pain is characterized by being acute, predictable and self-limited in time. It is directly associated with vegetative, psychological, emotional and/or behavioral reactions. Each body will manifest this pain differently; everything will depend on the type of patient, the surgical preparation, the intervention, the technique used, the complications that may arise and the postoperative care.

Causes of postoperative pain or why it occurs

The only direct cause is the surgical procedure.

Can it be prevented?

Although specialists currently have multiple techniques that allow minimal incisions and a reduction in surgical time, postoperative pain cannot be prevented.

What does the treatment consist of?

Pain relief is a complex process that is very difficult to remedy with a single analgesic method. Currently there are different therapeutic options divided between pharmacological treatment of acute pain and non-pharmacological treatment. Each therapy must be adapted according to the type of surgery, the needs of each patient and the evolution of the patient over time. Pharmacological treatment is divided according to whether the pain is mild, analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs will be administered; moderate, aines, aines with opioids, opioids in infusion or with regional analgesia techniques; and in severe pain, opioids will be administered intravenously, PCA with regional techniques. Non-pharmacological treatments include relaxation, hypnosis, imaginary techniques, music therapy and similar. It should be noted that in the absence of adequate treatment, pain can become chronic.