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Optimizing Postoperative Pain Management in Pelvic Floor Surgery

  • Reconstructed Bladder Function & Dysfunction (M Kaufman, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Surgical treatment of pelvic floor dysfunction is very common, and women who undergo surgery experience varying degrees of postoperative pain. Opioid pain medications have been the mainstay of postoperative pain control, but with the growing opioid epidemic, alternative pain management strategies are needed. This review examines the current literature on opioid use in pelvic floor surgery, non-opioid pain control strategies, and surgical approach as it pertains to postoperative pain.

Recent Findings

Over prescription of opioids is common in pelvic floor surgery and it poses a risk of developing long-term opioid dependence. Alternative pain control strategies include non-opioid medications, multimodal medication regimens, and local anesthetic. The type of surgical approach can have a bearing on the degree of postoperative pain.

Summary

Optimal pain control after pelvic floor surgery involves multiple components that should be individualized to each patient. The components should include minimizing opioid pain medications, shared decision-making in surgical approach, and a perioperative pathway that maximizes the recovery process. Future studies should continue to explore ways to improve patient comfort and satisfaction after pelvic floor surgery.

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Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Section of Urology and Renal Transplantation, Virginia Mason Medical Center, 1100 9th Ave, Seattle, WA, 98102, USA

    Dena Moskowitz & Una Lee

Authors
  1. Dena Moskowitz
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  2. Una Lee
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Correspondence to Una Lee.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Reconstructed Bladder Function and Dysfunction

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Moskowitz, D., Lee, U. Optimizing Postoperative Pain Management in Pelvic Floor Surgery. Curr Bladder Dysfunct Rep 13, 282–287 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11884-018-0492-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11884-018-0492-1

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