[Postoperative analgesia]

Postoperative analgesia is not adequate in France. An improvement is necessary for both the patient's comfort and the possible reduction of postoperative morbidity. The cornerstone of postoperative analgesia is regular evaluation of pain allowing adapted treatment. The organisation of postoperative analgesia requires teaching of medical and paramedical staff, the agreement on protocols with designation of a pain referent according to a quality insurance program. Available treatments include non-opioid and opioid drugs and local anaesthetic agents. Main difficulties include interindividual variability, and analgesia on movement. Patient-controlled analgesia allows adaptation of opioid treatment to patient's needs. The combination of drugs and techniques may allow a better analgesia, and a reduction of its side effects.