However recovery can take a bit longer, and postoperative pain is very common in the recovery room. The severity and reason for this pain has many factors. Age is important. The two extremes of very young and very old, seem to have lower instances and less pain than those patients in the middle of life. Fear of pain and some neuroses also seem to increase the postoperative pain.
Preoperative medication can affect postoperative pain.
Barbiturates and some other medications seem to worsen post-Op pain. Narcotics on the other hand delay the need for a painkiller in the recovery room. The site of the incision and procedure also have a significant influence on post-Op pain. A surgery in the thoracic region seems to be the most painful type of operation, and lower abdominal surgery the least painful. Chronic pain and post-surgical pain can both be alleviated by the use of opiates.