• U Stamer, N Mpasios, F Stüber, H Laubenthal, and C Maier.
• Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität, Klinik und Poliklinik für Anästhesiologie und spezielle Intensivmedizin, Sigmund-Freud-Str. 25, 53105 Bonn. ulrike.stamer@ukb.uni-bonn.de
• Anaesthesist. 2002 Apr 1; 51 (4): 248-57.

ObjectiveA survey was performed to obtain information on the organization and practice of postoperative pain management.MethodsA questionnaire was mailed to 773 directors of German departments of anesthesiology.ResultsA total of 446 replies (57.7%) could be analyzed. Of the departments, 161 (36.1%) had established an acute pain service (APS), more often in hospitals > or = 1000 beds (63%) than in hospitals with 400-999 beds (40%) and hospitals with < 400 beds (27%). Epidural analgesia was practiced in 97% of the departments, however, it was the analgesic technique of choice for larger abdominal surgery or amputation of the lower limb only in 60.8% and 45.5% of the departments, respectively. Departments with APS provided epidural analgesia more often on general wards than departments without APS (88.2% vs. 68.4%, p < 0.01). Technically more challenging methods (e.g. catheters for regional anesthesia, PCA, PCEA) were more often provided in hospitals running an APS (p < 0.001).ConclusionsThe number of departments with APS has increased over the last 10 years. Future decisions on reimbursement should consider this extensive service.

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