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Surgery, a medical procedure that frightens many people, is accompanied by a certain amount of pain, no matter how big or small. However, some surgeries are significantly more painful than others due to their complexity and significant intervention on the patient's body. Below, we'll explore some of the most "painful" surgeries to see if you've ever experienced one of them, and maybe you're one of those warriors.
Introduction to the Surgical Pain Scoring Criteria
In the medical field, the "pain" of surgery is not just a measure of the pain during surgery. It also includes multiple dimensions such as the complexity of the operation, the postoperative recovery time, and the psychological burden.
Medical experts usually evaluate the severity of the surgery based on the sensitivity of the surgical site, the length of the surgery, the size of the incision, and the possible complications after the surgery. For example, major surgeries on the chest and abdomen often have higher pain scores because they involve vital organs and have large incisions.
A detailed explanation of the top three surgeries on the list
Fracture reduction and internal fixation surgery: Fractures are well known to be painful, especially when it comes to large bones such as the femur or tibia. This type of surgery usually involves inserting metal spikes or plates into the fracture to immobilize the bone and ensure that it heals properly.
Although anesthesia is required during the procedure, postoperative pain is almost unavoidable. Pain management and physical therapy are important components of postoperative recovery, and patients often have to endure long periods of functional recovery training.
Cholecystectomy: Gallbladder disease is one of the more common conditions in middle-aged and older adults. When gallstones or other diseases cause inflammation or even rupture of the gallbladder, gallbladder removal surgery is often necessary.
While modern medicine tends to use minimally invasive surgery (such as laparoscopic surgery), in some cases of complex or acute inflammation, open surgery is still required, which will result in greater pain and a longer recovery period.
Heart bypass surgery: Heart bypass surgery, also known as coronary artery bypass grafting, is a procedure used to treat severe coronary heart disease. This procedure involves a thoracotomy in which the doctor removes blood vessels from other parts of the body to bypass the blockage in the heart. The pain of this surgery is not only due to the surgery itself, but also to the recovery of heart function and wound healing after surgery.
Introduction to common but less painful procedures
Despite the high level of pain associated with these surgeries, advances in modern medicine have also made many other surgeries relatively easy. For example:
Sinus surgery: This is a common otolaryngological procedure that is commonly used to treat chronic sinusitis. Most sinus surgeries now use laparoscopic techniques, which are accessed through the nostrils, resulting in less postoperative pain and faster recovery.
Thyroidectomy: Thyroidectomy is a common procedure for people with thyroid nodules or thyroid cancer. With an optimized incision design and delicate surgical techniques, the pain and recovery time of this procedure has been greatly reduced.
Recommendations for postoperative management and recovery of painful surgery
The recovery process after surgery is extremely critical for patients, especially after a challenging "painful" surgery. Effective pain management and a proper recovery plan not only alleviate the patient's physical discomfort, but also help speed up the recovery process and reduce the occurrence of complications.
Pain management begins with appropriate analgesic medications, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and opioids.
Long-term use of opioids carries the risk of addiction and side effects, so it needs to be used under strict guidance from a doctor. Modern pain management may also include nerve block techniques and the use of local anesthetic pumps, which can be applied directly to the painful area and reduce the side effects of systemic medications.
Physiotherapy is also an integral part of post-operative recovery. Proper positioning, warm compresses, and moderate exercise can effectively promote blood circulation, accelerate wound healing, and reduce muscle atrophy and joint stiffness. In most cases, patients are encouraged to move as early as possible after surgery to prevent pulmonary complications such as pulmonary embolism.
Psychological support is also an aspect that is often overlooked in post-operative recovery. Feelings of anxiety, depression, and fear after surgery all have a negative impact on recovery. The care team should include a mental health professional, such as a clinical psychologist, who can help people adjust their mindset and improve their overall response to treatment, including through talk therapy.
Reader Interactive: What surgeries have you undergone?
Knowing and sharing real-life surgical experiences not only helps other patients prepare for upcoming surgeries, but also provides medical professionals with valuable first-hand case information. We encourage readers to share their experiences with surgeries in the comments section, whether it's the well-known painful surgeries, or other types of surgeries.
Sharing can include the type of surgery, the level of pain experienced, the process of recovery after surgery, and any suggestions that will help others. These stories not only increase the interaction between community members, but also enhance the authenticity and depth of the content of the articles.
The relationship between medication and surgical pain
As mentioned above, medications play an important role in managing surgical pain. Antibiotics such as roxithromycin are not only used to treat infections that may arise during surgery, but also indirectly affect pain and recovery speed. Especially in more inflammatory surgeries, such as gallbladder removal or heart bypass surgery, appropriate antibiotics can be effective in preventing postoperative infection, thereby reducing the inflammatory response that causes more pain.
It is important to note that the improper use of antibiotics, such as random interruption or overdose without following medical advice, can lead to increased resistance. Doctors usually do not use antibiotics during aseptic surgery unless necessary to avoid this risk.
Overall, painful surgery is not only a medical problem, but also a multifaceted and comprehensive management challenge. From physical therapy to medication management to psychological support, every step of the process is an integral part of post-operative recovery.
Patient education and community support add a greater personal touch to the process, enabling patients to face surgical challenges with a more positive attitude.
Finally, do you have any experiences and opinions that you would like to share?