ICD-11: A major step forward towards the prediction and prevention of chronic postsurgical pain

The presence of acute pain following surgical procedures is a prominent healthcare concern, and its impact on postoperative recovery and outcomes is widely acknowledged.1 Its significance led to numerous research efforts aimed at enhancing its treatment. The understanding of the pathophysiology behind postoperative pain has greatly improved over the last 30 years, leading to a more advanced and sophisticated management of acute pain after surgery.2 Similarly, emphasising the development of procedure-specific recommendations for managing perioperative pain has pushed the field of perioperative pain management forward (https://esraeurope.org/prospect/). However, there remain numerous unanswered questions about the most effective approach to perioperative pain management, particularly for patients who experience more intense pain postsurgery than the average patient. There are multiple areas that can be further developed, including the optimisation of pain management to strike a balance between effectiveness and potential side effects, particularly when opioids are required. It is also important to identify the most effective combination of treatment options and explore nonmedical approaches to pain relief. Furthermore, it is crucial to thoroughly investigate the effects of opioid-free anaesthesia on postoperative pain, along with various other associated fields. However, what has been overlooked in recent years is the significant number of patients who continue to experience pain for weeks, months and even years after surgery. This unexpected phenomenon challenges the previous belief that postoperative pain is a temporary symptom that will eventually fade away...