Pain Management in the Recovery Room: Difference between revisions

In terms of propedeutic signs, clinical observation must include facial expressions, limbs’ motion, posture, agitation level, verbal content and whether or not the infant touches or points the wound. There’s been an effort to systematize these signs through pain scores, such as CHEOPS, FLACC, CHIPPS, FPS, VAP, OPS and MOPS, which can be useful tools. More recent attempts to enclose objectivity to this assessment are notable, including the skin conductance algesimeter and algorithms that evaluate the heart rate variability.

Once correctly diagnosed, pain management in children can more easily be addressed. Fundamentally, basic analgesics, which are widely accessible, such as NSAIDs and paracetamol should be administered, promoting an opioid use reduction. Opioid use should be limited to the operative and early postoperative set, in order to minimize risks related to its collateral effects. Patients receiving opioids must be closely monitored. Basic analgesics can be administered orally, intravenously or rectally.