Pain Management

Thoracic surgeon, Arthur T. Martella, MD., Director of the Lung Cancer Program at Bryn Mawr Hospital, is dedicated to the treatment of his patients  pain. Following extensive research on studies of pain management, he has implemented a multimodal aparoach to the management of post-operative pain. Understanding that individuals respond to pain differently requires surgeons to employ a variety of treatment options to adequately manage pain.

Possible treatment modalities include, but are not limited to: utilizing long and short acting opioids, non-steriodal anit-inflammatory agents, duragesic patches and behavioral approaches such as pre-operative assessment of prior pain experiences, patient teaching, music and relaxation therapy and a team approach to ongoing pain assessment and treatment.

A large component of patient satisfaction and recovery centers around pain control. Uncontrolled post-operative pain delays recovery, stresses the immune system (delaying healing) and decreases mobility. Relieving pain immediately following surgery may still depend on narcotics such as Morphine and Dilaudid given either in pill form or intravenously to some extent. The side effects of narcotics include: nausea, breathing problems, drowsiness, and constipation are generally self-limiting and should be treated pro-actively. Pro-active management of potential side effects can prevent prolonged hospital stays related to narcotic usage.

Our surgeons are committed to decreased post-operative pain. They are utilizing an advanced system called the On-Q Post Operative Pain Relief System. The On-Q system consists of a self-contained ball shaped infusion pump of a local anesthetic, such as bupivicaine. The pump is connected to two small catheters inserted near the incision. The catheters soak or bath the incision with anesthetic at a steady drip rate for up to three days after surgery. The pump functions automatically and upon completion is easily removed and discarded. Dedicated to innovative treatment methods, nearly all patients undergoing thoracic surgery for the treatment of lung cancer at both Bryn Mawr and Paoli Hospitals receive the On-Q Post Operative Pain Relief System.

On-Q May Provide:

• More comfortable pain relief and recovery
• Pain relief without the side effects of narcotics
• Constant pain relief
• Quicker return to normal activities such as walking.
• Earlier release from the hospital