When the word “surgery” comes to mind, what do most people think? “Pain,” “wounds,” “I’d rather not.” In reality, doctors share the same fears of pain as patients do. Fortunately, surgery today doesn’t have to be associated with the pain we often imagine.
At the Phyathai 3 Hospital Surgical Center, the true feelings of patients are addressed, alleviating concerns about “not wanting surgery because of the fear of post-operative pain.” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Thanyadej Nimmanwudipong, a consultant at the Advanced Surgical Technology Center (ASIT) at Phyathai 3 Hospital, sheds light on common questions about post-surgical pain.
Why Do We Experience Pain After Surgery?
The human nervous system is designed to help us perceive sensations and alert us to dangers, prompting us to avoid harmful situations. When an injury occurs, this system teaches us to evade actions that may cause further pain. However, if an injury is too severe for recovery, the body may succumb to its effects.
Is Surgery Just a Form of Injury Inflicted by the Doctor?
Yes, surgery involves creating an injury to treat a condition. However, it is a carefully planned intervention designed to minimize damage. Major surgeries today, despite careful planning, still result in significant injury that the body cannot heal from without proper medical care afterward. This is particularly true when it comes to effective pain management.
Is There No Way to Avoid or Reduce Pain?
Can pain be avoided? Absolutely. This has been a significant medical challenge since the dawn of medicine. The most important question that has transformed the landscape of surgery is:
“How can patients endure surgery without experiencing pain?”
The quest to answer this question dates back to ancient times. In warfare, injuries from weapons were severe, and the need to amputate infected limbs could be life-threatening. This led to the discovery of anesthesia, allowing surgeons to perform more complex and delicate procedures without patients feeling pain during surgery. As a result, we have been able to treat difficult conditions deep within the body.
Another crucial question is: “How can we minimize injury?” Advances in medical engineering have enabled surgeries to be performed using smaller instruments and cameras through tiny incisions, known as laparoscopic surgery. This technique is increasingly replacing traditional open surgeries.
But What Happens After Awakening from Anesthesia?
Once patients regain consciousness, even with neatly sutured incisions, the nervous system is still programmed to signal pain naturally.
However, significant strides in medical science over the past century have led to numerous techniques for pain reduction. Today, we can anticipate and plan to prevent unnecessary pain for patients before, during, and after surgery using various medications and techniques. Options such as local anesthesia and nerve blocks can dramatically reduce pain from larger surgical wounds.
Additionally, post-operative pain management has evolved with the introduction of Patient-Controlled Analgesia (PCA) systems, allowing patients to press a button to administer pain relief on-demand, rather than having to request medication when the pain becomes unbearable.
Comparison Table: Advancements in Pain Management in Medical Care
| Situation | Pain Management Without Planning | Pain Management With a Structured Plan |
| Before the Incident | Pain occurs unexpectedly, with no preparation to manage it effectively in terms of awareness and environment. | A well–structured plan includes: – Knowing what to do, when, and how. – Choosing the most effective and least invasive pain management methods. |
| Getting Prepared | Unforeseen situations can happen at any time, even when we don’t expect them. | -Administer relaxation medication before surgery.
-Provide antibiotics to prevent the risk of infection. -Give preventive pain relief medication in advance. |
| During the Incident | The person experiences full pain. | – Patients may have little to no awareness of the procedure. – Anesthesia can completely block pain by preventing signals from reaching the brain. – It can also reduce muscle reflexes, ensuring a more comfortable procedure. – Minimally invasive techniques help reduce pain. – And more. |
| After the Incident | Pain, stiffness, and reluctance to move may occur, increasing the risk of complications such as lung infections due to shallow breathing. | – Pain is effectively managed through medications or other techniques, ensuring minimal discomfort. – For major surgeries, pain control strategies focus on preventing severe pain spikes and promoting smoother recovery with methods like PCA (Patient–Controlled Analgesia) for consistent and effective pain relief. |
Dr. Thanyadej Nimmanwudipong
Consultant, Advanced Surgical Technology Center (ASIT)
Phyathai 3 Hospital
