One of the papers presented at last week’s National Conference of the Romanian Association for the Study of Pain was titled: “Postoperative Pain After Laparoscopic Hysterectomy versus Vaginal Hysterectomy for Benign Gynecological Diseases,” led by a team of doctors from various hospitals, headed by Professor Elvira Brătilă.
The paper emphasized the increasing preference for laparoscopic hysterectomy over vaginal hysterectomy due to its lower rate of postoperative complications and better visualization of the surgical field.
The study conducted by this team spanned a year, during which patients operated on for various benign gynecological conditions, such as uterine fibroids, endometriosis, or menstrual disorders, were monitored. Pain levels were assessed immediately post-surgery and at 1, 2, and 6 weeks post-surgery, alongside the evaluation of analgesic usage throughout this period. Patients underwent either laparoscopic or vaginal surgery.
The results revealed significantly lower postoperative pain following laparoscopic surgery compared to vaginal surgery, with reduced blood loss during the procedure and consequently shorter hospital stays.
In another paper presented by Prof. Dr. Elvira Brătilă, titled “Mechanisms of Postoperative Pain in Patients with Endometriosis,” the complex nature of pain occurrence in endometriosis was discussed. This includes inflammation, involvement of nociceptors, and erroneous processing of pain perception in the nervous system. The management of pain in endometriosis patients necessitates a comprehensive approach, combining pharmacological and surgical treatments alongside psychological counseling. However, many patients solely rely on surgical intervention, making postoperative pain management a significant challenge that often requires a multidisciplinary approach.
Cited studies:
- “Postoperative Pain After Laparoscopic Hysterectomy vs. Vaginal Hysterectomy for Benign Conditions.”
- “Mechanisms of Postoperative Pain in Patients with Endometriosis.”