MULTIMODAL ANALGESIA IN THE MANAGEMENT OF POSTOPERATIVE PAIN: A LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

 This article sought to review the scientific literature on multimodal analgesia in the management of postoperative pain, considering that adequate pain control during the perioperative period is one of the main challenges in contemporary surgical care and is essential to promote functional recovery, reduce postoperative complications, and rationalize opioid use. This is a narrative literature review conducted using the PubMed/MEDLINE, SciELO, and LILACS/BVS databases, employing DeCS/MeSH controlled descriptors and free terms related to the topic, combined with Boolean operators. Articles published between 2020 and 2026, available in full text and related to the topic, were included, resulting in a total of 20 studies. The findings demonstrated that multimodal analgesia is a widely adopted approach in the perioperative period, based on the combination of different pharmacological classes, regional anesthesia techniques, and opioid-sparing protocols. Its increasing integration into Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) programs was also observed, contributing to pain control, functional recovery, and the rational use of opioids. It is concluded that multimodal analgesia represents a relevant evidence-based therapeutic strategy, although the heterogeneity of the available protocols indicates the need for prospective studies and the standardization of clinical protocols to expand its applicability in clinical practice.