Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 7, 2026

Acupoint Needle-Embedding Combined with Ironing Therapy for Postoperative Pain After Anal Surgery
Published on: June 23, 2023
Genetics and genomics in postoperative pain and analgesia
Vinko Palada1, Mari A Kaunisto2, Eija Kalso1,3
1Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
Purpose Of Review:
The review describes recent advances in genetics and genomics of postoperative pain, the association between genetic variants and the efficacy of analgesics, and the role of pharmacogenomics in the selection of appropriate analgesic treatments for postoperative pain.
Recent Findings:
Recent genetic studies have reported associations of genetic variants in catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), voltage-gated channel alpha subunit 11 (SCN11A) and μ-opioid receptor (OPRM1) genes with postoperative pain. The recent pharmacogenetics studies revealed an association of the organic cation transporter 1 (OCT1) and ATP-binding cassette C3 (ABCC3) polymorphisms with morphine-related adverse effects, an effect of polymorphisms in cytochrome P450 gene CYP2D6 on the analgesic efficacy of tramadol and no effect of CYP2C8 and CYP2C9 variants on efficacy of piroxicam.
Summary:
Genetic variants associate with inter-individual variability in drug responses and they can affect pain sensitivity and intensity of postoperative pain. Despite the recent progress in genetics and genomics of postoperative pain, it is still not possible to precisely predict the patients who are genetically predisposed to have severe postoperative pain or who develop chronic postoperative pain.
Related Concept Videos
Analgesia and Pain Management
Genomics
Genetics of Speciation
What is Genetic Engineering?
Genome Size and the Evolution of New Genes
Pain

