Lumbosacral DREZotomy for oncologic pain treatment: a case-based review.

PURPOSE: To present 3 cases of oncologic pain treated by DREZotomy in the pediatric population and to review the literature published about this procedure. METHODS: The permanent literature about oncologic pain treatment in children and the applicability of DREZotomy was reviewed. Three cases treated at our institution were reviewed and presented. RESULTS: In the pediatric population, the DREZotomy has been extensively applied for the treatment of spasticity and spasticity-related pain. Currently, there are no reports of oncologic pain treated by means of a DREZotomy in children. We presented 3 cases coursing the terminal stage of illness, presenting predominantly neuropathic, oncologic pain that were successfully managed after a DREZotomy was performed. CONCLUSION: In well-selected patients, with a good general condition and life expectancy to withstand an open neurosurgical procedure, DREZotomy is an excellent tool to treat neuropathic oncologic pain.

"A journey to learn about pain": the development and validation of a comic book about pain neuroscience education for children.

BACKGROUND: Pain education resources for children using appropriate language and illustrations remain scarce. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to summarize the development process and testing for face and content validity of a structured comic book about pain education for children. METHODS: A first draft of a comic book was developed (Portuguese and English) based on pain education concepts. Experts in pediatric pain from different countries analyzed content, objectives, language, illustrations, layout, motivation, and cultural adjustment. A third draft developed in Portuguese considering experts' suggestions was presented to children and parents in Brazil. The total adequacy score was calculated from the sum of the scores obtained in each domain, divided by the maximum total score. Descriptive analysis is presented. RESULTS: The expert panel was composed of 11 (64.7%) physical therapists, and 6 (35.3%) psychologists. The total adequacy score (0-100%) was 87.74%. The third draft version of the comic book was presented to 28 children and the final version was presented to 16 children with a mean age of 9.6 years. Children were totally satisfied (n=4; 26.7%) or satisfied (n=9; 56.2%) with the story of the comic book. The readability of the comic book was considered suitable for grades 4 to 6 educational level. CONCLUSION: The comic book "A Journey to Learn about Pain" was validated for face and content validity by the expert panel and the Brazilian target population. This comic book is available in Portuguese and English and can be a potentially useful resource for children.

Development and feasibility testing of a Pain Neuroscience Education program for children with chronic pain: treatment protocol.

BACKGROUND: Current treatment for adults with chronic pain often includes Pain Neuroscience Education (PNE) to make people understand the nature underlying their pain and thus provides a clear rational for a biopsychosocial approach. Despite recommendations to use Pain Neuroscience Education as well in children with chronic pain, a specific program, tailored to children aged 6-12 years is lacking. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to develop a Pain Neuroscience Education program for children with chronic pain and test its feasibility. METHODS: First the internet and scientific literature was searched for sources (e.g., books, videos, etc.) that might be supportive in teaching children about the neurophysiology of pain. Based on this content, we developed a Pain Neuroscience Education program for children, 'PNE4Kids', which was tested for feasibility in three groups of healthy children (n=18; 9 girls and 9 boys) aged between 6 and 12 years old. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: This paper provides both scientists and clinicians with a specific program to explain the neurophysiology of pain to children with chronic pain, since it is past high time to use a modern neuroscience approach in this vulnerable population. Further research should examine the effectiveness of this developed PNE4Kids program on pain-related outcomes in children with chronic pain. Registration number: NCT02880332 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02880332).

Assessment and management of pediatric pain based on the opinions of health professionals

The present study characterized the opinions of health professionals about strategies for assessing and managing pediatric pain in a public teaching hospital. The sample consisted of 92 health professionals who worked in pediatric wards, pediatric intensive care, and neonatal intensive care. The sample included 45 doctors, 18 nurses, 16 psychologists, eight physiotherapists, and five occupational therapists. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire that included 22 open questions on the following topics: pain assessment, pharmacological management, and non-pharmacological interventions. Each area was analyzed with regard to actions, resources, gaps, and needs. The questionnaire was developed based on the principles of Strategic Planning. Two trained researchers analyzed the thematic content of all of the responses. With regard to actions and resources, 33% of the respondents mentioned the use of instruments for pain assessment, 73% reported that they prescribed pharmacological treatments for symptoms of pain, and 26% reported the use of non-pharmacological interventions for the relief of pain. The professionals predominantly reported a lack of training for pain assessment and management, standardized protocols, and human and material resources. Consequently, 96% of the professionals reported the necessity for educational training and standardized implementation guidelines for pain assessment services. These findings provide a baseline of the health professional's opinions of pain issues, which are essential for implementing and increasing pain assessment and management policies institutionally.

Assessment and management of pediatric pain based on the opinions of health professionals

The present study characterized the opinions of health professionals about strategies for assessing and managing pediatric pain in a public teaching hospital. The sample consisted of 92 health professionals who worked in pediatric wards, pediatric intensive care, and neonatal intensive care. The sample included 45 doctors, 18 nurses, 16 psychologists, eight physiotherapists, and five occupational therapists. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire that included 22 open questions on the following topics: pain assessment, pharmacological management, and non-pharmacological interventions. Each area was analyzed with regard to actions, resources, gaps, and needs. The questionnaire was developed based on the principles of Strategic Planning. Two trained researchers analyzed the thematic content of all of the responses. With regard to actions and resources, 33% of the respondents mentioned the use of instruments for pain assessment, 73% reported that they prescribed pharmacological treatments for symptoms of pain, and 26% reported the use of non-pharmacological interventions for the relief of pain. The professionals predominantly reported a lack of training for pain assessment and management, standardized protocols, and human and material resources. Consequently, 96% of the professionals reported the necessity for educational training and standardized implementation guidelines for pain assessment services. These findings provide a baseline of the health professional's opinions of pain issues, which are essential for implementing and increasing pain assessment and management policies institutionally.(AU)

Prevalencia de dolor en niños hospitalizados en el Centro Hospitalario Pereira Rossell

RESUMEN Introducción: el reconocimiento y tratamiento del dolor es esencial en el cuidado del paciente pediátrico. Existe evidencia que indica que el dolor en niños hospitalizados es habitualmente subdiagnosticado e infratratado. En 1999 se realizó un trabajo que evaluó la prevalencia de dolor en pacientes pediátricos hospitalizados en el Centro Hospitalario Pereira Rossell (CHPR). El 78% de los pacientes incluidos presentaron dolor; de estos, 73% presentaba un dolor que fue catalogado como severo. No existen datos actuales sobre la prevalencia de dolor en niños hospitalizados en el CHPR. Objetivo: el objetivo principal de este trabajo es conocer la prevalencia de dolor en la población pediátrica internada en el CHPR. Metodología: se realizó un estudio descriptivo, transversal, mediante una encuesta a todos los pacientes pediátricos internados en el CHPR entre el 19 y 23 de diciembre de 2011. Mediante una ficha de recolección de datos se evaluaron, entre otras, variables demográficas, presencia y causa de dolor y tratamiento recibido. Resultados: se incluyó el 97% de los pacientes internados (99 pacientes) en el hospital. La prevalencia de dolor fue de 34,3% (34/99; IC95% = 25,1 - 44,6). En ocho pacientes (8,1%) el dolor fue catalogado como severo, mientras que 26 pacientes (26,3%) presentaron dolor leve a moderado. La prevalencia de dolor posoperatorio fue de 54,5% (12/22; IC95% = 32,2-75,6). Solo en 48,8% de los casos (21/43) se realizó una prescripción adecuada de analgésicos en cuanto a la dosis y solo en 43,1% (28/65) de los pacientes en cuanto al intervalo de tiempo. Discusión: la prevalencia de dolor observada en este trabajo fue más baja que la observada en 1999. Puede deberse a que existe mayor reconocimiento del dolor en niños por parte de los médicos y al funcionamiento de la unidad de dolor en el CHPR. Solamente en tres de los ocho pacientes con dolor severo fueron prescriptos fármacos opiáceos. Existen técnicas con eficacia ...

SUMMARY Introduction: identification and treatment of pain are essential in pediatric patient care. There is evidence that pain in hospitalized children is underdiagnosed and undertreated. In 1999, a study was performed to assess the prevalence of pain in pediatric patients hospitalized in the Pereira Rossell Hospital Center (CHPR). Results indicated that 78% of patients had pain, and in 73% of them pain was classified as severe. There is no current data on prevalence of pain in children hospitalized in the Pereira Rossell Hospital Center. Objective: the main objective of this work is to know the prevalence of pain in the pediatric population hospitalized in the CHPR. Methodology: a descriptive and transversal study was carried out through a survey among all pediatric patients hospitalized in the Pereira Rossell Hospital Center between December 19 and 23, 2011. A data collection sheet was used to assess demographic variables, presence and cause of pain and treatment received, among others. Results: there were included 97% of inpatients (99 patients). Prevalence of pain reached 34,3% (34/99; IC95%= 25,1 - 44,6). In 8 (8,1 %) patients, pain was classified as severe, while in 26 patients (26,3%) pain was mild to moderate. Prevalence of post-surgical pain was 54,5% (12/22; IC95%= 32,2 - 75,6). Only in 48,8% of the cases (21/43) the prescription of analgesics was correct in terms of dose and just in 43,1% (28/65) of the patients, in terms of dosing interval. Discussion: the prevalence of pain observed in this work was lower than the one observed in 1999. It may be due to a better recognition of pain in children by the physicians and to the performance of the pain unit of the Pereira Rossell Hospital. Only 3 of the 8 patients with severe pain were prescribed opioid drugs. There are proven techniques for the treatment of severe post-surgical pain, i.e. patient-controlled analgesia, peripheral nerve blocks, caudal epidural analgesia, the use of epidural catheters, and the design of treatment protocols. A broader application of the above might reduce the high prevalence of acute post-surgical pain. Conclusions: a high prevalence of pain was detected. Proven actions may be applied to reduce the high prevalence of pain and post-surgical pain observed.

RESUMO Introdução: o reconhecimento e tratamento da dor são essenciais no cuidado do paciente pediátrico. Há evidencias que sugerem que a dor em crianças hospitalizadas é habitualmente sub-diagnosticada e ineficazmente tratadas. Em 1999 realizou-se um trabalho que analisou a prevalência da dor em pacientes pediátricos hospitalizados no Centro Hospitalar Pereira Rossell (CHPR). O 78 % dos pacientes incluídos apresentaram dor, deles, 73 % apresentaram dor severo. Não existem dados atuais sob a prevalência da dor em crianças hospitalizados no CHPR. Objetivo: nosso objetivo principal deste trabalho foi conhecer a prevalência da dor na população pediátrica internada no CHPR. Metodologia: realizou-se um estudo descritivo, transversal, por meio de enquete a todos os pacientes pediátricos internados no CHPR entre o 19 e 23 de dezembro de 2011. Por meio de uma ficha de recolhimento de dados se avaliou entre outras, as variáveis demográficas, presença e causa de dor e tratamento recebido. Resultados: inclui-se o 97 % dos pacientes internados no hospital (99 pacientes). A prevalência da dor foi de 34,3 % (34/99; IC 95%= 25,1 - 44,6). Em oito pacientes (8,1%) a dor foi catalogada como severa, porem 26 pacientes (26,3%) apresentaram dor leve a moderada. A prevalência da dor pós-operatório foi de 54,5% (12/22; IC95%=32,2-75,6). Somente em 48,8% dos casos (21/43) realizou-se uma prescrição apropriada de analgésicos em quanto a doses, e apenas 43,1% (28/65) dos pacientes em quanto ao intervalo de tempo. Discussão: a prevalência da dor observada neste trabalho foi menor que a observada em 1999. Pode ter como causa um maior reconhecimento da dor em crianças por parte dos médicos e ao funcionamento da unidade de dor no CHPR. Só em três dos oito pacientes com dor severa foram prescritos fármacos opiáceos. Existem técnicas com eficácia provada no tratamento da dor severa pós-operatório; estas som: a analgesia controlada pelo paciente, os bloqueios de nervo periféricos, a analgesia peridural caudal, a utilização de cateteres epidurales, e a desenho de protocolos de tratamento. Sua maior aplicação pode diminuir a elevada prevalência da dor aguda pós-operatório. Conclusões: deparamos-nos com uma alta prevalência da dor. Existem medidas eficazes demonstradas que se podem aplicar para diminuir a alta prevalência da dor e também da dor pós-operatório observada.