Postoperative pain management

When surgery is planned, postoperative pain management requires careful consideration. Many medications and techniques can greatly reduce a patient's postsurgical discomfort, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, long-acting local anesthetics, corticosteroids, narcotics, ice, and compression. Pain management should begin preoperatively, continue through surgery, and be fully managed postoperatively. Successful management of postoperative pain greatly affects patients' overall impressions of their surgery.