[Treatment of post-operative pain in the elderly].

The management of post-operative pain in the elderly represents a challenge due to coexisting diseases, concurrent medications, and age-related pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic changes. Analgesic therapy in this group of patients should balance the potential efficacy with the risk of interactions and side effects. In general, doses should be smaller and the dosing intervals longer ("start low and go slow") and the use of regional blocks and non-pharmacological treatment should be encouraged. Continuous assessment of pain, pain relief and side effects is particularly important in elderly patients.