[Status of postoperative pain therapy in West Germany. Results of a representative survey]

To determine how pain is assessed and managed in the early postoperative period, what the prescribing habits and general opinions on postoperative pain are, and what suggestions for future improvement could be made, questionnaires were sent to 430 anesthesia departments in the FRG. Of these, 188 were returned (38% response). Systemic treatment (opiates, major and minor tranquilizers, peripherally acting analgesics and spasmolytics) was preferred in most cases, although regional anesthesia/analgesia seems to be rather popular. Data are given not only for analgesic techniques, but also for the most frequently used drugs. The study highlighted deficiencies in communication between the anesthetic staff and the patients that resulted in poor assessment of acute pain problems. The findings indicate a need to document pain and pain relief more often and more precisely in order to improve postoperative pain control.