PERIOPERATIVE PAIN MANAGEMENT

The clinical anesthesia, general surgery, and gynecology literature ad dressing the pathophysiology and management strategies for perioperati ve pain were reviewed. There are few prospective, randomized studies f rom which to draw meaningful conclusions. Nevertheless, a theoretical construct has been developed which may help the gynecologic surgeon op timizing pain management. The era of managed care and shorter hospital stays has focused physicians and, in particular, surgeons on elements of patient care that can be addressed and improved. Reducing or elimi nating postoperative pain without excessive sedation promotes rapid mo bilization and return to self-care. Strategies for pain management can be adopted that reduce postoperative ileus and other adverse reaction s to analgesics.(1)