Der Schmerz
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This systematic literature review was conducted to analyze the costs of postoperative patient controlled analgesia (PCA) in Germany. ⋯ A critical examination of benefits and costs of therapeutic options in hospitals has become necessary with the implementation of the German DRG compensation system. This has created a substantial need for the optimization of resources and processes. There is an enormous demand for research on the costs for PCA in Germany. The identification of cost-driving factors is necessary to determine saving potentials and thereby develop new technologies for postoperative analgesia.
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There are few studies on minimally invasive injection therapy (MIT) combined with multimodal conservative therapeutic options. Here, we evaluate the results of MIT in a clinical study. ⋯ MIT is an effective approach with few complications for the treatment of patients with radicular syndromes.
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Measurement of the pressure pain threshold and suprathreshold pressure pain sensitivity using a newly developed computer controlled algometer was compared to established methods in this pilot study. ⋯ For clinical use, the algometers investigated deliver comparable results. For studies requiring high precision with low levels of stimulation the use of the Algoforce PA3 could be considered.
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The history of pain treatment likely started in the cradle of mankind, as the experience of pain from many causes presumably had an aversive dimension comparable in its ranking to elementary sensations and motivations such as hunger, thirst, maintenance of body temperature, and sexuality-all vital for individual and genetic survival. Thus, pain certainly was among the drives to create social behavior and medicine-these functions still are inherent in pain. The period of history from 1500, as considered here, is dominated by the emergence of science. ⋯ During the nineteenth century the most important breakthroughs in pain treatment included general and local anesthesia as well as analgesic drugs from morphine to anti-inflammatory agents. They succeeded in taking the terror out of the agonizing pain of surgery and dramatic courses of diseases. Today's natural extension of the medical success in controlling acute pain may be seen in the period of pain medicine aimed at understanding and preventing chronic pain.