Consultation with a specialized pain clinic reduces pain after oral and maxillofacial surgery

Publication date: Available online 14 December 2016
Source:Journal of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery
Author(s): Eva-Maria Dietrich, Norbert Griessinger, Friedrich Neukam, Tilo Schlittenbauer
PurposePostoperative pain management is important for improved patient care. Our primary objective was to investigate the effect of analgesic treatment adaptation by the pain clinic on postoperative pain relief at an oral and maxillofacial surgery department. Additionally, we aimed to present patients' pain characteristics and the administered analgesic treatment.Materials and MethodsA total of 128 patients treated at our clinic in the period 2012-2015 who required analgesic treatment adaptation by our pain clinic were included. They were further divided into 10 groups: tumor, temporomandibular joint disorder, tooth extraction, osteomyelitis, bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw, submandibular abscess, orthognathic surgery, cyst, sinusitis, and fracture. Pain characteristics evaluated were intensity on a numerical rating scale (NRS) before and after intervention of the pain clinic, quality, genesis, and type.ResultsPosttreatment pain intensity values at rest 1.8 (SD: 1.4) and on exercise 4 (SD: 2) were statistically significant better compared to pretreatment values (4.2, SD: 2.5, and 6.8 SD: 2, respectively). The highest pain intensities were reported after tooth extractions, orthognathic surgery, cystectomies, and fracture reposition. Pain was mainly continuous and related to a combination of a somatic and a neuropathic pathophysiological mechanism.ConclusionsIntervention by a specialized pain clinic leads to reduction of postoperative pain.



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