POSTOPERATIVE TREATMENT OF PAIN FROM AN O PERATIVE POINT-OF-VIEW

Our data make it clear that pain is a clinically relevant factor. The investigations show that the intensity and duration of pain varies fro m one surgical procedure to another. In the area of surgery, however, acute pain is a factor not only of the so-called postoperative phase: intense pain is just as important an aspect of the surgeon's deliberat ions prior to therapy as - it goes without saying -of his efforts afte r surgery. The negative experience, pain, must receive the weighting i t warrants -in-the one instance with regard to the comfort that is the patient's due - but also in view of the possible significance of acut e pain as a stressor factor. Treatment of pain must be intensified at all levels, that is, positioning, cooling, and where possible an indiv idual medication matched to the situation pertaining, as well as, last , but not least, the surgery itself must receive adequate consideratio n. Research, teaching and training are all essential for the treatment of postoperative pain.