Dr. Constantine is constantly expanding his knowledge and helping plastic surgeons around the world improve their practice and surgical outcomes. Pain management is a topic that is critical to comfortable and successful surgical care. Check out Dr. C.’s newest article in the Plastic And Reconstructive Surgery Journal. Make sure the doctor you choose is an innovator and a leader in the advancement of plastic surgery.
 

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ABSTRACT: Postoperative pain is a common source of anxiety and concern for patients seeking plastic surgery procedures.1,2 Body contouring is no exception, as most cases involve extensive undermining, resection of large amounts of tissue, and inclusion of large surface areas during the procedures. Uncontrolled postoperative pain has been shown to prolong hospital stays and increase the incidence of deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolus, pneumonia, bowel dysmotility, insomnia, and sometimes impair wound healing.3 In addition, reducing pain has been shown to decrease hospital length of stay, thus reducing overall hospital cost, which all physicians are feeling pressure to do in present times. Thus, it is evident that proper pain management plays a vital role in overall successful surgical outcomes and overall patient experience.Improvements in technology and pharmacology have enhanced one’s ability to prevent, control, and treat perioperative pain in the surgical patient. In this article, we aim to provide a basic overview of perioperative pain management in the body-contouring patient by discussing recent advancements in pharmacologic agents along with delivery systems and their use and efficacy. In addition to such methods, other key elements such as preoperative patient education, staff involvement and training, patient assessment, and clinical judgment all add synergistically to the management of pain in the plastic surgery patient.