Postoperative analgesia

Pain should be regarded as a complex experience consisting of sensory, affective, behavioural and physiological components. Pain management is therefore best achieved by an approach which acknowledges the complex interactions between biological, psychological and sociocultural factors. Effective pain management requires thorough patient preparation and education to manage expectations and a robustly structured inpatient service for postoperative pain management and continuous staff education. Postoperative analgesia is one component of postoperative pain management and is essential for achieving patient satisfaction and enhanced recovery. Effective pain management facilitates early mobilization and a reduction in respiratory and cardiac complications reducing the stress response to surgery in turn improving wound healing and recovery. Inadequate pain control can lead to higher morbidity and mortality, prolonged hospital stay and the development of chronic postoperative pain.