Breadcrumb trail
- Centre for Pain Medicine
- Anaesthesiology
- Postoperative Pain
Contents
Postoperative Pain
Prevention and treatment of pain after surgical procedures
The medical staff of the Institute for Anaesthesiology pay close attention to patients’ overall condition after surgery. Our inquiries have shown that some newly operated patients have severe pain that can be markedly improved by postoperative pain therapy.
In our Institute, modern techniques are employed for this purpose. For example, the anaesthetist may program a computerised infusion pump from which the patient can self-administer doses of pain-reducing medication, if necessary at short intervals. The computer device ensures that the maximum doses programmed by the physician are not exceeded, which is an important safety measure. The medication is delivered directly into a vein, e.g., via the IV line used during surgery.
Regional anaesthesia of the arm or leg may be continued for pain relief after surgery when a fine catheter is left in place. Periodic or continuous doses can be administered into the operated area by means of a computerised infusion pump.
A catheter may also be inserted into the spine before a spinal or epidural anaesthetic and left in place to allow pain-relieving medication to be given in single doses or continuously after surgery. Suitable computerised infusion pumps are also available for this purpose.
seated, in order to avoid postoperative nausea. This prophylaxis is continued in the recovery room, and recently operated patients are followed after transfer to the ward and treated as necessary.
