Pain Relief after Surgery
Pain relief after surgery is an important part of the recovery process. When you’re not in pain, you will have a more comfortable recovery and return to your normal activities faster.
Post-Surgical Pain Relief Options
The most common way to treat pain after surgery is with narcotics, such as morphine or codeine. These drugs can cause side effects, such as breathing difficulty, constipation, nausea and vomiting. They can also make you sleepy or groggy. Narcotics affect the entire body and may slow the recovery process. Unlike narcotics, local anesthetics are medications that numb a targeted site. Because they don’t affect the entire body, there is less risk of these unpleasant side effects. Local anesthetics have been used for years for different types of surgeries and dental procedures.
ON-Q* Pain Relief System – Pain relief right where you need it
The ON-Q* system is a small disposable pump filled with a local anesthetic medication to relieve your pain after surgery. It continuously delivers the medication, which blocks the pain in the area of your procedure. With the ON-Q* system, you may get better pain relief than by taking narcotics alone. You may also need to take less narcotic medication.
How the ON-Q* Pain Relief System Works
The pump is connected to a small catheter (tube), which is inserted by your surgeon or anesthesiologist. Depending on your procedure, the catheter will be placed near the surgical incision site or under the skin next to a nerve near the surgical area.
The ON-Q* pump continuously delivers the medication at a very slow flow rate. It is completely portable and may be clipped to your clothing or placed in a small carrying case.
The ON-Q* Pain Relief System may provide:
• More comfortable recovery after surgery
• Better pain relief without the side effects of narcotics
• Quicker return to normal
• Earlier release from the hospital
Important Information
Things to be aware of when using the ON-Q* Pain Relief System
WARNING:
The following symptoms may represent a serious medical condition. Immediately close the clamp on the pump tubing and call your doctor or 911 in case of an emergency to prevent serious patient injury.
• Increase in pain
• Fever, chills, sweats
• Bowel or bladder changes
• Difficulty breathing
• Redness, warmth, discharge or excessive bleeding from the catheter site
• Pain, swelling or a large bruise around the catheter site
• Dizziness, lightheadedness
• Blurred vision
• Ringing, buzzing in your ears
• Metal taste in your mouth
• Numbness and/or tingling around your mouth, fingers or toes
• Drowsiness
• Confusion Numbness Be aware that you may experience loss of feeling at and around the surgical area. If numbness occurs, take proper measures to avoid injury. Be careful when placing hot or cold items on a numb area.
Cautions
• Do not reuse.
• Protect the pump and catheter site from water according to your doctor’s instructions.
Source and for more information go to http://www.myon-q.com/media/56275/patient-brochure-general-information.pdf
