Preventive Analgesia for the Management of General Surgical Pain

Abstract

Pain created by surgery has the ability to produce both structural and functional changes in pain pathways. These changes may be reduced if timely and adequate pain relief is delivered to the patient. Poor control of pain can result in remodeling of the “hardwired” pathways involved in pain transmission, which can result in central sensitization and hyperalgesia. Furthermore, poorly controlled pain and delay in its recognition may lead to a chronic pain state, further complicating the patient’s recovery and quality of life. A multimodal approach taking into account psychosocial aspects of the patient is more likely to mitigate the development of chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP).