What is postoperative pain?
Postoperative pain is an anticipated and temporary pain that occurs following grafting procedures or burn excision and is most commonly the result of increased pain from newly created wounds.
How long does postoperative pain last for?
The pain depends on the surgical procedure that is done. Usually, the pain improves over time. For less complicated surgeries, pain is more limited and the primary pain is usually over in a few days. After the first 3 to 4 days, pain improves and patients begin feeling much better in 1 to 2 weeks. For more complex procedures, pain can take longer to improve.
What are the types of postoperative pain?
Postoperative pain can either acute or chronic. Acute pain is experienced immediately after surgery and pain which lasts more than 3 months after the injury is considered to be chronic. Acute and chronic pain can arise from deep somatic, cutaneous, or visceral structures.
Medical tests to diagnose postoperative pain?
A simple code for pain scoring in the postoperative set up is:
- Comfortable - when awake or asleep.
- Slight pain - only elicited by close questioning.
- Moderate pain - bothering the patient, But often controlled by lying still. The patient may ask for analgesia.
- Severe pain - dominating the consciousness and calling out for urgent relief.
How can postoperative pain be treated?
Postoperative pain can be managed by prescription and over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen and aspirin.