A systematic review of the prevalence of chronic postsurgical pain in children.

Two prior reviews highlight the scarcity and conflicting nature of available data on chronic postsurgical pain in children, reporting a wide prevalence range of 3.2% to 64% (at ≥3 months). This updated systematic review aimed to consolidate information on the prevalence of pediatric chronic postsurgical pain. A thorough literature search of full English-text publications from April 2014 to August 2021 was conducted using Ovid MEDLINE, PubMed, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, with search terms: postoperative pain, child, preschool, pediatrics, adolescent, chronic pain. Seventeen relevant studies were identified. Most assessed chronicity once greater than 3 months duration postoperatively (82%), were predominantly prospective (71%) and conducted in inpatient settings (88%). The surgeries examined included orthopedic (scoliosis and limb), urological, laparotomy, inguinal, and cardiothoracic procedures, involving numbers ranging from 36 to 750, totaling 3137 participants/2792 completers. The studies had wide variations in median age at surgery (6 days to 16 years), the percentage of female participants (unspecified or 12.5% to 90%), and follow-up duration (2.5 months to 9 years). Various pain, functional, psychosocial, and health-related quality of life outcomes were documented. Chronic postsurgical pain prevalence varied widely from 2% to 100%. Despite increased data, challenges persist due to heterogeneity in definitions, patient demographics, mixed versus single surgical populations, diverse perioperative analgesic interventions, follow-up durations and reported outcomes. Interpretation is further complicated by limited information on impact, long-term analgesia and healthcare utilization, and relatively small sample sizes, hindering the assessment of reported associations. In some cases, preoperative pain and deformity may not have been addressed by surgery and persisting pain postoperatively may then be inappropriately termed chronic postsurgical pain. Larger-scale, procedure-specific data to better assess current prevalence, impact, and whether modifiable factors link to negative long-term outcomes, would be more useful and allow targeted perioperative interventions for at-risk pediatric surgical patients.

Attrition from Face-to-Face Pediatric Outpatient Chronic Pain Interventions: A Narrative Review and Theoretical Model.

There is limited understanding of attrition (premature treatment withdrawal and non-completion) from pediatric chronic pain services. This narrative review aimed to summarize attrition prevalence from face-to-face pediatric outpatient chronic pain interventions, identify associated factors and develop a theoretical model to account for attrition in this setting. A comprehensive search of the published literature revealed massive variability (0-100%) in the reported attrition rates from pediatric chronic pain interventions that varied in type and format (individual vs. group, single discipline vs. interdisciplinary, psychological only vs. multiple combined interventions, of different durations). The factors associated with attrition from pediatric chronic pain programs varied between the studies: some have assessed patient sex, psychological and other comorbidities, avoidance strategies, missed schooling, family composition/tensions, caregiver catastrophizing, scheduling, caregiver leave and clinic access. A theoretical model is presented depicting youth, caregiver and service factors that may impact attrition from pediatric chronic pain interventions. Where available, literature is drawn from the pediatric chronic pain context, but also from adult chronic pain and pediatric weight management fields. The implications for research and clinical practice are discussed, including improved reporting, patient screening and targeted supports to promote intervention completion. This review contributes to a better understanding of attrition, which is crucial for optimizing pediatric chronic pain service outcomes.

Caregiver Burden Associated With Pediatric Chronic Pain: A Retrospective Study Using the Pediatric Electronic Persistent Pain Outcomes Collaboration Database.

OBJECTIVES: This retrospective, cross-sectional study investigated the nature and extent of burden experienced by caregivers of children and adolescents with chronic pain, and factors associated with increased caregiver burden. METHODS: The Pediatric Electronic Persistent Pain Outcomes Collaboration database provided prospectively collected data from 1929 families attending 9 pediatric chronic pain services across Australia and New Zealand. Data included demographic information, responses to child pain and functioning measures, caregiver work impairment, and psychosocial functioning. RESULTS: Caregivers of children with chronic pain reported work impairment associated with their child's pain (mean: 15% ± SD 25 absenteeism; 38% ± SD 29 productivity lost), significantly worse than published international population norms (large-scale community survey data), most other caregiver samples of adults and children with other chronic conditions, and adult samples with various pain conditions. Caregivers reported considerable burden in multiple psychosocial functioning domains, particularly leisure functioning, pain-related catastrophizing, and adverse parenting behaviors (with greater pain-related avoidance). Caregiver psychosocial burden was significantly associated with child psychosocial functioning (ß = -0.308, P < 0.01), school absenteeism (ß = 0.161, P < 0.01), physical disability (ß = 0.096, P < 0.05), and pain duration (ß = 0.084, P < 0.05), but not pain intensity. Caregiver work productivity loss was significantly associated with school absenteeism (ß = 0.290, P < 0.01), child physical disability (ß = 0.148, P < 0.01), child health care utilization (ß = 0.118, P < 0.05), and worst pain intensity (ß = 0.101, P < 0.05). DISCUSSION: These results highlight the significant and varied impacts experienced by caregivers of children with chronic pain. This work is novel in reporting significant work impairment and confirms psychosocial burden in a larger sample than previous studies.

Intravenous chlorpromazine for acute paediatric migraine.

OBJECTIVE: In paediatric migraine, ibuprofen, acetaminophen and triptans are safe, effective therapies but there is scant paediatric data informing second-line emergency treatment. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of children diagnosed with migraine at a tertiary children's hospital ED. RESULTS: There were 207 children with migraine over a 1 year period. 46% received simple oral analgesia. 25% intravenous chlorpromazine, of whom 45% received further analgesia. CONCLUSIONS: While intravenous chlorpromazine as second-line agent was mostly safe, it had unclear efficacy given the requirement for further treatment and hospital admissions.

Perioperative opioid use in paediatric inguinal hernia patients: A systematic review and retrospective audit of practice.

BACKGROUND: Opioids play a major role in postoperative pain management in children, but their administration remains an under investigated topic. This study aimed to describe perioperative opioid prescribing practices for paediatric inguinal hernia patients in the literature and at The Royal Children's Hospital (RCH) in Melbourne, Australia. MATERIAL/METHOD: A systematic review of English articles (published from 2009 to 2019) was conducted on paediatric (0-18y) inguinal hernia patients who received a postoperative or discharge opioid prescription, or both. The review was combined with a retrospective audit of RCH patients. Demographic, surgical, and analgesic details were collected from the electronic medical records. RESULTS: Fifteen studies (n = 1166; combined mean age 4.93y) met the systematic review criteria. The percentage of patients receiving opioids postoperatively overall ranged from 3.33-100%, and doses ranged from 0.07 to 0.35 mg/kg oMEDD. At the RCH, perioperative opioid use was analyzed from 150 inguinal hernia patients (male - 113, median age - 3 months old). Postoperatively, 26 (17.3%) patients received opioids. The most commonly administered opioids were fentanyl (0.04-0.60 mg/kg oMEDD) in the post anaesthesia care unit and oxycodone (0.14-0.40 mg/kg oMEDD) in the first 24 h postoperatively. Older age at surgery, female sex and absence of regional anaesthesia were significantly associated with higher risk of total opioid use. No patients received an opioid prescription at discharge. CONCLUSION: There is demonstratable variability in opioid prescribing practices for paediatric inguinal hernia patients as described in the literature. At our institution opioids were not used frequently in postoperative period.

Opioids for acute pain management in children.

Opioids are integral to multimodal analgesic regimens in children with moderate to severe acute pain. Throughout normal childhood there are marked changes in physiology, and social and psychological development that influence the perception and expression of pain, the pharmacology of opioids, and how they are used. A multidimensional pain assessment is key to guiding appropriate opioid prescribing. Most of the commonly used opioids in adults are used in children, with the increasing exception of codeine (as a result of regulatory change), and are generally well tolerated. Patient groups at increased risk of ventilatory impairment include neonates and those with obstructive sleep apnoea, severe neurodevelopmental conditions, trisomy 21, and severe epilepsy. Slow-release opioids are not recommended for general use, but may be used in select populations, for example, following scoliosis surgery, major trauma or burns. Prescribing and administration errors are a major issue in paediatrics generally; the potential consequences of opioid prescribing or administration errors are serious, particularly following hospital discharge. Opioids prescribed at discharge are frequently in excess of a child's analgesic requirements; three to five days supply appears sufficient for the majority of common paediatric operations. Discharge opioid prescriptions have been linked to long-term opioid use in adolescents with risk factors. Misuse of prescription opioids by adolescents is also concerning, with prevalence estimates ranging from 1.1% to 20%. Caregivers have a tendency to underdose opioids in their children; caregiver education may improve appropriate administration. Caregivers must also be provided with instructions on safe storage and disposal of unused opioids.

Implementation of an enhanced recovery pathway in Australia after posterior spinal fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis delivers improved outcomes.

PURPOSE: Traditionally, spinal surgery for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) has seen long hospital length of stay (LOS) and slow mobility progression. Postoperative enhanced recovery pathways (ERP) for this population in North America and Asia have successfully reduced LOS and hospital costs without increasing complications. This study assessed if ERP introduced in an Australian center achieves similar results. METHODS: A pre-post intervention study compared a historical AIS cohort having a posterior spinal fusion (PSF) who received conventional care (CC) (2013-2014) with prospectively assessed ERP recipients (2016-2018) separated by 1-year implementation period. Patient characteristics, surgical details, postoperative analgesia, mobilization, LOS and complication outcomes were collected. RESULTS: The 32 CC and 61 ERP recipients had similar demographics. ERP recipients had 44% decreased LOS (mean LOS 3.5 ± 0.9 days vs. CC 6.3 ± 0.9 days, p < 0.001) as all ERP milestones were achieved sooner including transition to oral analgesia (MD - 2 days, 95% CI 1.8-2.3), oral intake (MD - 2.3 days, 95% CI 2.0-2.6) and mobilization, with fewer physiotherapy sessions (5.2 vs 8, p < 0.001). Postoperative in-hospital costs were 50.2% less for ERP vs CC (AUD $8234 vs $16,545). Due to small sample size, no differences between the groups were detectable for complications (4.9% vs 6.3%) or readmission (1.6% vs 3.1%). CONCLUSION: An ERP for AIS after PSF in this Australian center improved functional recovery reducing LOS and by associated postoperative inpatient costs. Other Australian hospitals should consider an ERP for this population with larger-scale audit to assess impact upon complications. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Periprocedural analgesia and sedation in air enema reduction for intussusception: A retrospective Australian cohort study.

AIM: Periprocedural analgesia or sedation for air enema reduction (AER) of intussusception is a matter of debate. We set out to review Australian periprocedural pain management in AER. METHODS: Retrospective electronic medical record review of emergency department presentations of intussusception at an Australian children's hospital over 2 years for periprocedural analgesia and sedation and short-term outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 73 patients (mean age 23 months) had ultrasound-confirmed intussusception. Prior to AER, analgesia was administered to 61 of 73 (83.5%) patients. Opioids were administered in 48 of 73 (65.8%) and 8 of 73 (11.0%) received sedation. Thirteen of 73 (17.8%, 95% confidence interval 9.0-26.6) had spontaneously reduced; 60/73 that underwent primary AER had successful reduction in 54 (90.0%, 95% confidence interval 82.4-97.6). A total of seven patients required surgery. No AER attempts were complicated by bowel perforation. CONCLUSION: The use of periprocedural analgesia for AER in this Australian series was common, whilst sedation use was infrequent. No perforations occurred.

Oral Ondansetron to Reduce Vomiting in Children Receiving Intranasal Fentanyl and Inhaled Nitrous Oxide for Procedural Sedation and Analgesia: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Intranasal fentanyl and inhaled nitrous oxide are increasingly combined to provide procedural sedation and analgesia in the pediatric emergency setting. This regimen is attractive because of its nonparenteral administration, but is associated with a higher incidence of vomiting than nitrous oxide alone. We seek to assess whether prophylactic oral ondansetron use could reduce the incidence of vomiting associated with intranasal fentanyl and nitrous oxide for procedural sedation compared with placebo. METHODS: This was a double-blind, randomized controlled trial of oral ondansetron versus placebo conducted at a single tertiary care pediatric emergency department. Children aged 3 to 18 years with planned sedation with intranasal fentanyl and nitrous oxide were randomized to receive oral ondansetron or placebo 30 to 60 minutes before nitrous oxide administration. The primary outcome was early vomiting associated with procedural sedation, defined as occurring during or up to 1 hour after nitrous oxide administration. Secondary outcomes included vomiting 1 to 24 hours after procedural sedation, procedural sedation duration, adverse events, and quality of sedation across the 2 groups. RESULTS: We recruited 442 participants and 436 were included for analysis. There was no significant difference in the primary outcome, early vomiting associated with procedural sedation, between the groups: ondansetron 12% versus placebo 16%, with a difference in proportions of -4.6% (95% confidence interval -11% to 2.0%; P=.18). Most sedations were reported as optimal by treating clinicians (91%). Only 2 minor adverse events occurred, both in the placebo group. CONCLUSION: Oral ondansetron does not significantly reduce vomiting during or shortly after procedural sedation with combined intranasal fentanyl and inhaled nitrous oxide.

Protocol for a double blind, randomised placebo-controlled trial using ondansetron to reduce vomiting in children receiving intranasal fentanyl and inhaled nitrous oxide for procedural sedation in the emergency department (the FON trial).

INTRODUCTION: Intranasal fentanyl and nitrous oxide (N2O) can be combined to create a non-parenteral procedural sedation regimen for children in the paediatric emergency department. This combination of intranasal fentanyl and N2O provides effective pain relief for more painful procedures, but is associated with a higher incidence of vomiting than N2O alone. Our aim is to assess whether ondansetron used preventatively reduces the incidence of vomiting associated with intranasal fentanyl and N2O for procedural sedation compared with placebo. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This study is a double blind, randomised placebo-controlled superiority trial. This is a single-centre trial of 442 children aged 3-18 years presenting to a tertiary care Paediatric Emergency Department at the Royal Children's Hospital (RCH), Melbourne, Australia, requiring procedural sedation with intranasal fentanyl and N2O. After written consent, eligible participants are randomised to receive ondansetron or placebo along with intranasal fentanyl, 30-60 min prior to N2O administration. The primary outcome is vomiting during or up to 1 hour after procedural sedation. Secondary outcomes include: number of vomits and retching during procedural sedation, vomiting 1-24 hours after procedural sedation, procedural sedation duration and associated adverse events, procedure abandonment, parental satisfaction and the value parents place on the prevention of vomiting. This trial will allow refinement of a non-parenteral sedation regimen for children requiring painful procedures. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study has ethics approval at the RCH, Melbourne, protocol number 36174. The results from this trial will be submitted to conferences and published in a peer-reviewed journal. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12616001213437).

Pain management in the acute care setting: Update and debates.

Pain management in the paediatric acute care setting is underutilised and can be improved. An awareness of the analgesic options available and their limitations is an important starting point. This article describes the evolving understanding of relevant pharmacogenomics and safety data of the various analgesic agents with a focus on agents available in Australia and New Zealand. It highlights the concerns with the use of codeine in children and discusses alternative oral opioids. Key features of oral, parenteral, inhaled and intranasal analgesic agents are discussed, as well as evidence supported use of sweet tasting solutions and non-pharmacological interventions. One of the biggest changes in acute care pain management has been the advent of intranasal fentanyl providing reliable potent analgesia without the need for intravenous access. The article will also address the issue of multimodal analgesia where a single agent is insufficient.

Acute pain management: scientific evidence, fourth edition, 2015.

This guideline summary describes the fourth edition of Acute pain management: scientific evidence, which was published by the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) and its Faculty of Pain Medicine (FPMANZCA) in December 2015. The fourth edition summarises the best available evidence on acute pain management, following methods established over the preceding three editions. It provides additional information by scoring the quality of and reporting further details on randomised controlled trials and meta-analyses. The information is condensed into key messages that provide: concise statements on each topic, showing the highest level of evidence; and clinical practice points based on clinical experience or expert opinion.

The addition of tramadol to the standard of i.v. acetaminophen and morphine infusion for postoperative analgesia in neonates offers no clinical benefit: a randomized placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Tramadol is used following neonatal cardiac and general surgery. However, its ability to opioid-spare or facilitate earlier extubation in postoperative neonates is unquantified. OBJECTIVE: This randomized placebo-controlled trial aimed to assess whether tramadol's addition to standard analgesia resulted in earlier extubation or reduced analgesic/sedative requirements in postsurgical neonates. METHODS: Neonates born ≥32 weeks postmenstrual age received either tramadol [T] 2 mg·kg(-1) or placebo [P] 6-hourly for up to 5 days postthoracoabdominal surgery in addition to morphine (commenced at 20 mcg·kg(-1) ·h(-1)) and 6-hourly i.v. acetaminophen. Time to extubation, morphine and midazolam amounts, hourly pain scores, and seizure activity were compared using an intention-to-treat and per-protocol analysis. RESULTS: Seventy-one neonates participated. Median survival time to extubation was similar between the groups (T 67 h [95% CI 51, 84] vs P 52 h [95%CI 43, 65]; P = 0.4), and similar numbers were extubated by 96 h (T 69% vs P 77%; difference -8%, 95%CI -28, 13%). Morphine and midazolam exposure was similar, with low pain scores in both groups (mean percentage of time with a pain score >5/20 during the 5 days: T 13% vs P 11%, difference in means 2.8 [95% CI -1.8, 7.6], P = 0.20). Most participants had normal cranial ultrasounds (T 86% vs P 86%); no seizures occurred clinically or electroencephalographically. CONCLUSION: Tramadol's addition to standard analgesia in this small group of postsurgical neonates did not appear to have any positive effect on time to extubation, morphine or midazolam exposure, or pain scores. This questions the benefit of tramadol for postsurgical neonates. Importantly, no seizures occurred in these ill neonates who may potentially be at greater risk of tramadol toxicity compared with adults.

Audit of extrapleural local anaesthetic infusion in neonates following repair of tracheo-oesophageal fistulae and oesophageal atresia via thoracotomy.

In order to reduce postoperative opioid requirement, extrapleural local anaesthetic infusion dosing recommendations and guidelines for extrapleural catheter insertion were developed in our institution for 'extubatable' neonates requiring short-gap neonatal tracheo-oesophageal fistula/oesophageal atresia repair (via thoracotomy) and audited prospectively. Data audited included patient characteristics, analgesia details and ventilation duration. We divided patients into two groups: group 1 - term patients (=36 weeks gestational age) with birth-weights =2.5 kg; group 2 - pre-term patients (<36 weeks gestational age), with birth weights <2.5 kg and those with co-morbidities. There were 26 neonates in group 1 and 11 in group 2. All received extrapleural infusions of bupivacaine or levobupivacaine: the majority (90%) =300 µg.kg(-1).hour(-1) (median duration 43 hours, range 1.5 to 72 hours); 36% required morphine infusion and 39% were ventilated (median duration 34 hours, range 3 to 140 hours). In group 1, 24% required morphine infusion compared with 64% in group 2. Most group 1 patients (77%) were extubated immediately postoperatively; 20% had short duration ventilation (median 15 hours, range 11 to 37 hours); one required longer-term ventilation (231 hours). 82% of group 2 were ventilated for a median of 72 hours (range 3 to 140 hours). Review of patients' co-morbidities facilitated guideline revision. These now specify use in neonates requiring short-gap tracheo-oesophageal fistula/oesophageal atresia repair who are term at =36 weeks gestational age and =2.5 kg birth-weight, anticipated as ready for extubation either immediately or shortly after surgery.

Is there a role for intravenous acetaminophen in pediatric emergency departments?

BACKGROUND: As a nonopioid parenteral analgesic intravenous (IV) acetaminophen is potentially attractive for emergency department (ED) use. However, there is little experience with its use in the pediatric ED setting. We introduced the agent into a pediatric ED with a preliminary restrictive prescribing regimen and describe its use. METHODS: This is a retrospective record review of all patients who had received IV acetaminophen over 12 months. Prescribing indications were for analgesia only (not for fever management) in patients at risk of opioid-related adverse events. We assessed the demographics, dosing, presenting complaints, discharge diagnoses, and indications for IV acetaminophen use. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients received IV acetaminophen (mean age, 10 years). All patients were at least moderately sick according to their triage assessment. The median dose was 15 mg/kg with a median of 1 dose administered. Presenting complaints were mainly trauma, abdominal complaints, and sepsis/fever/neutropenia. Thirty-nine percent of patients had severe underlying conditions. Two patients died: 1 patient had a chronic neurological condition, and the other was undergoing palliative treatment for cancer. Physicians complied with prescribing indications for half the patients: 53% were at risk of opioid-related adverse events. Physicians prescribed outside the initial indications as part of multimodal analgesia (13%), for complex patients with fever and pain (7%), and for fever only in patients unable to tolerate enteral administration (27%). CONCLUSIONS: In the setting of an initial restrictive prescribing regimen, IV acetaminophen was used in a small number of pediatric ED patients. In addition to use in patients at risk of opioid adverse events, the medication was also used in complex patients who were unable to tolerate an enteral formulation. Emergency department prescribing guidelines have been modified accordingly.

The pharmacokinetics of intravenous paracetamol in neonates: size matters most.

BACKGROUND: The aim was to describe intravenous paracetamol pharmacokinetics, determine major covariates and suggest a dosing regimen for (pre)term neonates. METHODS: A population pharmacokinetic analysis of 943 paracetamol observations from 158 neonates (27-45 weeks' postmenstrual age (PMA)) was undertaken using non-linear mixed effects models. Data from three published studies were pooled with newly collected time-concentration points during repeated intravenous paracetamol administration. RESULTS: A two-compartment (central, peripheral) linear disposition model was used. Population parameter estimates (between-subject variability, %) were central volume 51.9 l/70 kg (21.6%), peripheral volume of distribution 22.7 l/70 kg, clearance 5 l/h/70 kg (40%) and intercompartment clearance 16.2 l/h/70 kg. Covariate information predicts 60.9% of clearance variance. Weight was used to predict patient size and was the major covariate contributing 57.5% of variance. Clearance expressed as mg/kg/h increases only slightly with PMA (0.138 l/kg/h at 28 weeks' PMA to 0.167 l/kg/h at 44 weeks' PMA) and contributes only 2.2% of variance. High unconjugated bilirubin levels contributed an additional 1.2%. CONCLUSIONS: Patient size (predicted by weight) is the major covariate of clearance variance in neonates. Using these estimates, a mean paracetamol serum concentration of 11 mg/l is predicted in neonates of 32-44 weeks' PMA given a standard dose of intravenous paracetamol of 10 mg/kg every 6 h. Safety data for this drug are limited in neonates. Continued surveillance therefore remains essential.

Guidelines for management of scoliosis in Rett syndrome patients based on expert consensus and clinical evidence.

STUDY DESIGN: Modified Delphi technique. OBJECTIVE: To develop guidelines for the clinical management of scoliosis in Rett syndrome through evidence review and consensus expert panel opinion. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Rett syndrome is a rare disorder and clinical expertise is thus with small case series. Scoliosis is a frequent association and the evidence base dealing with scoliosis management in this syndrome is limited. Parents of affected girls and women have expressed needs for more information about scoliosis and Rett syndrome. METHODS: An initial draft of scoliosis guidelines was created based on literature review and open-ended questions where the literature was lacking. Perspectives of four parents of Rett syndrome patients informed this initial draft. Access to an online and a Microsoft Word formatted version of the draft were then sent to an international, multidisciplinary panel of clinicians via e-mail with input sought using a 2-stage modified Delphi process to reach consensus agreement. Items included clinical monitoring and intervention before the diagnosis of scoliosis; monitoring after the diagnosis of scoliosis; imaging; therapy and conservative management; bracing; and preoperative, surgical, and postoperative considerations. RESULTS: The first draft contained 71 statements, 65 questions. The second draft comprised 88 items with agreement to strong agreement achieved on 85, to form the final guideline document. A comprehensive, life-span approach to the management of scoliosis in Rett syndrome is recommended that takes into account factors such as physical activity, posture, nutritional and bone health needs. Surgery should be considered when the Cobb angle is approximately 40 degrees to 50 degrees and must be supported by specialist management of anesthesia, pain control, seizures, and early mobilization. CONCLUSION: Evidence- and consensus-based guidelines were successfully created and have the potential to improve care of a complex comorbidity in a rare condition and stimulate research to improve the current limited evidence base.

Neuropathic pain and foot drop related to nerve injury after short duration surgery and caudal analgesia.

Caudal anesthesia is the most common type of regional anesthetic technique performed in children. The incidence of neurologic adverse events is extremely rare. A postoperative complication of a mild but permanent neurologic deficit after administration of a caudal anesthetic in a previously well 9-year-old boy who required emergency scrotal exploration for a testicular torsion is reported. The caudal injection provided good postoperative analgesia, which probably resulted in the patient remaining in the same position overnight. This may have contributed to the development of the neurologic deficit, probably owing to a compressive neuropathy. We suggest that, as anesthesiologists obtaining informed consent for anesthetic interventions, we now need to inform guardians/carers of pediatric patients who are to receive caudal analgesia of the extremely small material risk of neurologic damage after caudal anesthesia. Additionally, the anesthetic community may need to consider revising postoperative care instructions to prevent the future occurrence of this rare outcome, particularly if using additives that prolong analgesic block duration.

Recent developments in the pharmacological management of pain in children.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review explores progress in developmental pharmacokinetics, pharmacogenomics and formulations of analgesic agents, and discusses potential implications for pain therapy. RECENT FINDINGS: Characterization of the developmental pharmacokinetics of morphine, tramadol, paracetamol and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs has improved dosing in children. Oral sugar solutions have replaced the brandy/sugar pacifier and are effective for single painful events in neonates. Intravenous paracetamol offers increased dosing accuracy, and avoids absorption and bioavailability variability. New nitric-oxide-releasing versions of paracetamol and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs offer safer alternatives to their parent drugs with enhanced potency. Ketamine has come under a cloud for its possible effects on the neonatal developing brain, but it is being used increasingly in children to supplement opioids for pain after major surgery. Hopes that morphine analgesia may improve neurological outcome in premature babies have not materialized. Reports concerning chronic pain are generally case series and controlled trials are rare and nearly nonexistent in children. SUMMARY: Unlicensed drug use in the very young will increase as familiarity increases. Pharmacogenomic studies have the potential to tailor drug therapy to the individual and decrease between-patient variability. Unfortunately, the pharmacodynamic knowledge in children of analgesic agents remains neglected and is usually extrapolated from adult data.