The physical processes of incision, traction and hemostasis used for craniotomy, stimulate nerve fibers and specific nociceptors, resulting in postoperative pain. During the first 24 h after craniotomy, 87% of patients have postoperatory pain. The rate of suffering pain after craniotomy falls 3% for every year of life. The objective of this study is to review the available therapeutic options to help physicians treating this pain, and discuss pain mechanisms, pathophysiology, plasticity, risk factors and psychological factors. This is a narrative review of the literature from 1970 to June 2019. Data were collected by doing a search in PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Reviews and a manual search of all relevant literature references. The literature includes some drugs treatment: Opioids, codeine, morphine, and tramadol, anti-inflammatory non-steroids such as cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors, gabapentin. It discusses: side effects, pharmacodynamics and indications of each drug, anatomy and Inervation of Skull and its Linigs, pathogenesis of pain Post-craniotomy, scalp nerve block, surgical nerve injury, neuronal plasticity, surgical factors and chronic post-surgical pain.
Keywords: Analgesia; cranial pain; craniotomy; headache; postoperative; treatment outcome.