[Drug treatment of perioperative pain]

Several drugs and techniques have been developed to improve the quality of post operative analgesia. Opiates are always the first intention drugs, specially with new molecules (buprenorphine, nalbuphine ...). Paracetamol and non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs can be efficacious in the post operative period alone or as adjuvants. The alpha 2 adrenergic agonists use must be specify. The patient auto-controlled administration and the transdermal administration of opiates are useful techniques to provide effective analgesia with optimal safety.