The pharmacological management of postoperative pain.
The physiology and pharmacological management of postoperative pain are briefly discussed. Although narcotic analgesics are still the mainstay in the management of postoperative pain the judicious use of non-narcotic analgesics, anticholinergics, tranquillizers and soporifics as well as the administration of local anaesthetic agents could contribute greatly to the alleviation of postoperative pain and discomfort. Certain regimens for intravenous medication are outlined and strong emphasis is placed on the fact that postoperative pain relief is the duty of the doctor and not that of unskilled nursing staff.
D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology; D002648:Child; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D007649:Ketamine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009431:Neural Conduction; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders; D014149:Tranquilizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000700:Analgesics; D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D014149:Tranquilizing Agents; D007649:Ketamine