Research Evidence
Analgesics, particularly opioids, are the primary treatment for acute pain. It is estimated that up to 90 percent of cancer pain can be adequately managed with analgesics using the World Health Organization (WHO) analgesic ladder.33, 34 Although no evidence exists to estimate the likelihood of adequately managing acute pain, it is reasonable to infer that the vast majority of postsurgical pain can be well managed with the appropriate use of analgesics. While there are many factors that contribute to poor pain management—lack of assessment and inadequate or inapposite use of analgesics are primary, and modifiable, factors.35 Thus, it is the responsibility of clinicians to be knowledgeable about the analgesics used to treat pain, including onset, peak action, and duration of the drug(s) administered; common side effects, and methods of managing those side effects.36 Easy access to an equianalgesic table assists in providing good pain control when switching from one opioid to another and from one route to another. This approach is particularly important when preparing the postsurgical patient for discharge with an oral analgesic.
The objective for postsurgical and procedural pain is to prevent and control pain.22, 24 This does not mean that patients will be pain free, a misconception that some patients and families have when entering the hospital. This misconception is best addressed during the preoperative pain assessment by collaboratively setting goals for pain control and function. A multimodal approach (balanced analgesia), which includes opioids, nonopioids such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and adjuvant medications such as anticonvulsants, is recommended. (For more detail go to the “Balanced Analgesia” section in this chapter.) Following the WHO’s analgesic ladder for control of cancer pain, the Clinical Practice Guideline Committee recommended the use of NSAIDs for mild to moderate pain with the addition of opioids for moderate to severe pain.22