European journal of anaesthesiology
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Tizanidine for the management of acute postoperative pain after inguinal hernia repair: A placebo-controlled double-blind trial.
α2-Agonists are used postoperatively as a component of multimodal analgesia. Tizanidine is a centrally acting α2-agonist with muscle relaxant properties. ⋯ The addition of tizanidine to the postoperative pain therapy after herniorrhaphy decreased postoperative pain and analgesic consumption and improved return to normal activity and quality of life.
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Postoperative pain has been poorly managed for decades. Recent surveys from USA and Europe do not show any major improvement. Persistent postoperative pain is common after most surgical procedures, and after thoracotomy and mastectomy, about 50% of patients may experience it. ⋯ Procedure-specific postoperative pain management recommendations are evidence based, and also take into consideration the role of anaesthetic and surgical techniques, clinical routines and risk-benefit aspects. The role of acute pain services to improve pain management and outcome is well accepted but implementation seems challenging. The need for upgrading the role of surgical ward nurses and collaboration with surgeons to implement enhanced recovery after surgery protocols with regular audits to improve postoperative outcome cannot be overstated.