Perioperative Analgesic Pharmacology in Children (WFSA)

Perioperative analgesic pharmacology in children Reprinted with revisions from: Williams G. Perioperative analgesic pharmacology in children. Anaesthesia Tutorial of the Week 23 (2006)

Glynn Williams

Correspondence email: willig3@gosh.nhs.uk

INTRODUCTION

The inadequate treatment of pain in children following surgery was first highlighted over 20 years ago. A survey at the time found that 40% of paediatric surgical patients experienced moderate or severe postoperative pain and that 75% had insufficient analgesia. Since then increased interest in this area has led to a better understanding of the developmental neurobiology of pain and analgesic pharmacology and, consequently, allowed for the development of safer and more effective analgesic techniques for children of all ages.