Integrative Literature Review on Analgesia Protocols for Postoperative Pain Control in Orthopaedic Surgery

Abstract

Introduction: Pain caused by orthopaedic surgery is one of the most intense. Opioid analgesics remain the mainstay of postoperative pain therapy, increasing hospital costs and length of stay, raising the level of dissatisfaction of patients about pain management. It is important to understand how pain is approached in this context and how it is managed by the multidisciplinary teams in orthopaedic operating rooms. Aims: The general aim was analyze the evidence available in the literature on the relevance of analgesia protocols for pain control in patients undergoing orthopedic surgery in the postoperative period. Methodology: The methodology used in this Integrative Literature Review (ILR) was based on the PI[C]OD method, allowing us to answer the following question: “In adults, in the postoperative period of orthopedic surgery, what is the relevance of analgesia protocols in pain control? Research was conducted from 10 to 22 May, using the EBSCOhost, MEDLINE, Academic Search Ultimate and CINHAL. Results: The research shows a mismatch in the pharmacological prescription to post-orthopaedic surgical patients, with consequences at various levels, which may be due to the lack of implementation of adequate protocols and the lack of training of professionals in the multidisciplinary team. Conclusion: Investment in this area is crucial, to understand the relevance of the implementation of pain management protocols in postoperative orthopaedics, as well as the importance of training and empowering nurses, allowing for the optimization of healthcare, the improvement of the patients’ s quality of life and the reduction of the impact of pain on their lives.