Management of acute postoperative pain in pediatric patients

Abstract

Pain is an unpleasant experience which can produce changes in all the systems of the body. Pain in children is not different from that in adults and can lead to similar detrimental effects on the body. The anticipation and effective treatment of pain in pediatric patients is thus, an essential component of care. A careful assessment of pediatric pain using age-specific pain scoring systems allows for exact quantification of pain. The use of various analgesics should be done early and in adequate doses for them to be effective. The use of multimodal approach with weaker analgesics along with regional blocks is an effective modality to control pain and prevent severe adverse effects associated with higher doses of potent analgesics. The advancement in the pharmacology of analgesics allows for their more widespread use with minimal side-effects. The use of patient or nurse controlled analgesia and continuous regional nerve blocks with the use of indwelling catheters can augment the pediatric pain management.

Keywords: Pediatrics; Postoperative pain management; Neuraxial

Citation: Kulshrestha A, Bajwa SJS. Management of acute postoperative pain in pediatric patients. Anaesth Pain & Intensive Care 2014;18(1):101-107