The Complexity of Managing Pain in Burn Patients: A Review of Current Therapies

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Burn injuries requiring medical treatment are very common, devastating, and painful. Pain management in burn patients has been a great challenge for many years. Unfortunately, inconsistent and outdated practices are still reported in the literature, mainly due to a lack of data supporting high-level evidence-based standards of care. Many studies have shown how inadequate and undertreated pain management is detrimental to burn patients. In general, pain management requires a comprehensive understanding of the complex physiology and dynamic pharmacokinetic changes occurring in the patient. Pharmacologic therapy can alleviate pain, and nonpharmacologic treatment may provide improved pain control as an adjunct; thus, using both can provide greater analgesia. By meeting the goal of alleviating pain and creating an environment that is less stressful for our patients, we will also achieve greater adherence to the follow-up and treatment of these wounds, which also leads to less risk of infections. This article reviews recent literature on pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic strategies to manage burn pain.