Approach to pain management in otology and neurotology

The fields of otology and neurotology are diverse in both the patient population and types of procedures performed. This diversity makes the topic of pain management challenging, as surgeries can range from outpatient procedures to operations requiring craniotomy and inpatient stay. This chapter highlights the principles of pain management in these disciplines. Generally, the pain following otologic surgeries can be managed with the use of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory medications and acetaminophen, whereas neurotologic surgeries may require patient-controlled analgesia and opioids. In addition to the discussion of medical management of pain, this chapter also discusses system-level initiatives that may enhance pain control and encourage opioid-sparing approaches.