Pain Relief After Surgery
This page will give you information about pain relief after
surgery. If you have any questions, you should ask your GP or other
relevant health professional.
Why do I need pain relief?
Operations cause pain. People who have good pain control after
their operations are less likely to suffer from heart attacks,
chest infections and blood clots. They also get up and about more
quickly and may get home sooner.
Simple Painkillers
You can use drugs, such as paracetamol, anti-inflammatories and
codeine or similar drugs, on their own or combined with other
painkillers. Although these drugs may not completely treat your
pain, if you take them regularly they reduce the amount of other
painkillers you might need.
What complications can happen?
The risks with simple painkilling drugs are small.
- Paracetamol is exceptionally safe in normal doses.
- Anti-inflammatory drugs can sometimes cause stomach
irritation and can make asthma
worse.
- Codeine or similar drugs can make you itch,
feel sick or light-headed and
almost always cause some degree of
constipation.
Morphine and Similar Drugs
For more severe pain you may be prescribed morphine or similar
drugs such as pethidine or diamorphine.
Intravenous delivery (using a drip)
The most common intravenous delivery is a technique known as
patient-controlled analgesia or PCA. This involves connecting a
special pump, containing the drugs, to a drip in one of your veins.
When you press a button on the pump a small dose of drugs is
given.
Other ways of giving morphine and similar drugs
The drugs can be given by injection either under the skin or
into the muscle. The drugs can also be given by mouth once you are
eating and drinking normally.
What complications can happen?
- Itching
- Constipation
- Sickness or feeling sick
- Respiratory depression
- Confusion
Epidural Anaesthetic
Epidural pain relief involves inserting a fine catheter into the
epidural space in your back. All your nerves pass through this
space. Local anaesthetics and other painkilling drugs are injected
down the catheter into the epidural space to numb your nerves.
Sometimes the drugs are injected continuously and the dose varied,
if needed, by the nurses. As well as continuous infusion, you can
sometimes have a button that allows you to ‘top up’ the epidural by
giving a small, safe dose when you need it.
What complications can happen?
- Low blood pressure
- Headache
- Respiratory depression
- Infection around the spine
- Seizures
- Short-term nerve injury
- Blood clot around the spine
- Damage to nerves
- Paralysis
Summary
There are various forms of pain relief that you may be offered
after an operation. Pain relief after surgery is usually safe and
effective.
Acknowledgements
Author: Dr Iain Moppett DM MRCP FRCA
This document is intended for information purposes only and
should not replace advice that your relevant health professional
would give you.
Copyright © 2008 EIDO Healthcare Limited
The operation and treatment information on this website is
produced by EIDO Healthcare Ltd and is licensed by Ramsay Health
Care UK.
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The information should not replace advice that your relevant
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