Pain after surgery naturally depends on the type of procedure that was performed. Pain varies from patient to patient. Postoperative pain cannot be completely prevented, but it can be treated well. It is important to treat pain properly. This not only increases your comfort. Pain that is not treated properly can have negative effects on the heart, lungs, intestines, immune system and so on. In rare cases, this may even cause permanent pain symptoms.
During surgery under general anaesthesia, the anaesthetist uses very powerful painkillers. These continue to work in the recovery room (PACU). Afterwards, they are replaced by painkillers that can be used in the nursing units.
Forms of painkillers
There are different types of painkillers and different ways of administration. The choice depends on the operation and the expected pain.
Infusion
The medication is administered by infusion at the end of or immediately after surgery, so that it has an immediate effect.
Injection into the muscle
The medication is injected into the muscle. It is released more slowly than through an infusion, but works longer.
Suppositories
Medication injected anally is quickly absorbed into the blood and provides fast and good pain relief. If you are not allowed to eat (yet), this medication is the ideal alternative to tablets.
Tablets
If you are allowed to drink or eat (again), tablets are an easy and safe way to administer pain relief. Classic painkillers such as ibuprofen, paracetamol, tramadol are administered this way. They can be used separately or in combination.
Pain pump
This pump usually releases analgesic medication continuously. It allows patients to self-administer additional pain medication by simply pressing a button. This way, they can optimise their pain relief and become less dependent on the nurse. A pain pump can be used in three ways.
- Epidural pain relief: this technique is widely used in obstetrics and can also be used after surgeries. Before the procedure, the anaesthetist places a fine catheter close to the spinal nerves. The pump is connected to this catheter afterwards. This form of pain relief is good for abdominal and thoracic surgery.
- Locoregional nerve block: the anaesthetist places a catheter at the level of a nerve going to the operation area. This technique is good for a limb or the shoulder.
- Intravenous analgesia: the pump is connected to an IV so that the pain medication enters the blood directly. The patient will usually self-administer the pain medication.
All pumps are overdose-proof, so patients need not be afraid to use them. A doctor from the Anaesthesia department visits patients with a pain pump every day to check the pain medication. In addition, Ghent University Hospital also has an acute pain service to adjust or optimise pain medication - in consultation with the doctors of the departments.