Post-cesarean analgesia

In the last decade, the number of cesarean deliveries worldwide has risen dramatically. By 2007, the cesarean section rates in the United States has risen over 32%, making it the most common surgical procedure performed in the hospital. Good pain relief is important after cesarean delivery to promote early recovery and allow the mother to care and bond with her newborn. Currently, opioids form the foundation of post-cesarean analgesia, with neuraxial opioids being the most commonly employed technique. In this review, we will look at the different routes of opioid analgesia, as well as explore adjuncts such as wound infiltration and nerve blocks. We will also review the use of oral analgesics and new formulations of drug available on the market. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.