Gaining Insight into Teenagers' Experiences of Pain after Laparoscopic Surgeries: A Prospective Study.

There is an anecdotal impression that teenage patients report exaggerated postoperative pain scores that do not correlate with their actual level of pain. Nurse and parental perception of teenagers' pain can be complemented by knowledge of patient pain behavior, catastrophizing thoughts about pain, anxiety, and mood level. Two hundred and two patients completed the study-56.4% were female, 89.6% White, 5.4% Black, and 5% were of other races. Patient ages ranged from 11 to 17 years (mean = 13.8; SD = 1.9). The patient, the parent, and the nurse completed multiple questionnaires on day one after laparoscopic surgery to assess patient pain. Teenagers and parents (r = 0.56) have a high level of agreement, and teenagers and nurses (r = 0.47) have a moderate level of agreement on pain scores (p < 0.05). The correlation between patient APBQ (adolescent pain behavior questionnaire) and teenager VAS (visual analog scale) and between nurse APBQ and teenager VAS, while statistically significant (p < 0.05), is weaker (r range = 0.14-0.17). There is a moderate correlation between teenagers' pain scores and their psychological assessments of anxiety, catastrophic thoughts, and mood (r range = 0.26-0.39; p < 0.05). A multi-modal evaluation of postoperative pain can be more informative than only assessing self-reported pain scores.

Utilizing Peripheral Nerve Blocks for Pain Management in Pediatric Patients during Embolization and Sclerotherapy for Vascular Malformations.

Vascular anomalies are a diverse group of abnormal blood vessel developments that can occur at birth or shortly afterward. Embolization and sclerotherapy have been utilized as a treatment option for these malformations but may cause moderate-to-severe pain. This study aims to evaluate the utilization of peripheral nerve blocks in opioid consumption, pain scores, and length of stay. A retrospective chart review was conducted at the UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh for all patients who underwent embolization and sclerotherapy between 2011 and 2020. Patient data were collected to compare opioid consumption, pain scores, and length of stay. In total, 854 procedures were performed on 347 patients. The morphine milligram equivalent per kilogram mean difference between groups was 0.9 (0.86, 0.95) with a p-value of <0.001. The pain score mean ratio was -1.17 (-2.2, -0.1) with a p-value of 0.027. The length of stay had an incident rate ratio of 0.94 (0.4, 2) and a p-value of 0.875. By decreasing opioid consumption and postoperative pain scores, peripheral nerve blocks may have utility in patients undergoing embolization and sclerotherapy while not clinically increasing the length of stay for patients. Their use should be individualized and carefully discussed with the interventional radiologist.

Safety Assessment of Prolonged Nerve Catheters in Pediatric Trauma Patients: A Case Series Study.

INTRODUCTION: Nerve block catheters (NBCs) are increasingly used for pain management in pediatric trauma patients. While short-term efficacy has been well established, the long-term safety of NBCs is unknown. Methods/Cases: The retrospective chart review includes a cohort of nine pediatric trauma patients aged 3-15 years who received 52 peripheral nerve block catheters and epidurals for pain management. This study aimed to investigate the potential risks associated with the prolonged use of NBCs in pediatric trauma cases. RESULTS: The NBCs (48 peripheral catheters and 4 epidural catheters) were maintained for about 2 weeks. The number of catheters per patient varied from 1 to 11. The study noted a low frequency of catheter-related complications. No catheter-site infection or local anesthetic toxicity symptoms were reported. DISCUSSION: These findings suggest that NBCs can be safely maintained for extended periods in pediatric trauma patients without significantly increasing complications. Careful monitoring and adherence to infection control practices remain paramount when implementing extended catheter use.

Short-acting versus long-acting opioids for pediatric postoperative pain management.

INTRODUCTION: Opioids are potent analgesics commonly used to manage children's moderate to severe perioperative pain in children. A wide range of short and long-acting opioids are used to treat surgical pain and will be reviewed in this article. AREAS COVERED: Both short- and long-acting opioids contain unique therapeutic benefits and adverse effects; however, due to the side effect profile and safety concerns, lack of familiarity, and evidence with long-acting opioids to treat surgical pain, shorter-acting opioids have traditionally been used in children. Almost all opioids work by binding to the mu receptor. Methadone, a long-acting opioid, is an exception because it also has beneficial N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonist properties. Clinically methadone's properties could translate to improved analgesic outcomes, reduced risk of adverse events, less risk for acute hyperalgesia, tolerance and abuse potential, faster recovery, and reduced risk for chronic persistent surgical pain. This review article summarizes and compares the evidence of commonly used short and long-acting opioids for perioperative pain control in the pediatric population. EXPERT OPINION: Individualized methadone therapy using pharmacogenomics has the potential to transform opioid use in pain management by improving patient safety and analgesic outcomes, thereby addressing the gaps in current standardized ERAS protocols.

A Retrospective Study Comparing Outcomes of Paravertebral Clonidine Infusion for Pediatric Patients Undergoing Nuss Procedure.

INTRODUCTION: The continuous paravertebral blockade as part of the multimodal pain protocol is an effective regional technique to control pain after the Nuss procedure. We investigated the effectiveness of clonidine as an adjunct to paravertebral ropivacaine infusion. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of 63 patients who underwent Nuss procedures and received bilateral paravertebral catheters. Data on demographics, surgical, anesthesia, and block characteristics, numeric rating pain scores (NRS), opioids consumption, hospital length of stay, complications, and side effects from medication administration were collected in children who received paravertebral ropivacaine 0.2% infusion without (N = 45) and with clonidine (1 mcg/mL) (N = 18). RESULTS: The two groups had similar demographics, although the clonidine group had higher Haller indices (6.5 (4.8, 9.4) vs. 4.8 (4.1, 6.6), p = 0.013). The clonidine group required less morphine equivalent/kg on postoperative day 2 (median, interquartile range 0.24 (0.22, 0.31) vs. 0.47 (0.29, 0.61) p = 0.002). There was no difference in median NRS pain scores. Both groups had similar catheter infusion durations, hospital length of stay, and complication rates. CONCLUSION: A postoperative pain management plan that includes paravertebral analgesia, including clonidine as an adjunct, may be considered to minimize opioid administration for patients undergoing primary Nuss repair.

Evolving approaches in neonatal postoperative pain management.

Neonates experience significant moderate and severe postoperative pain. Effective postoperative pain management in neonates is required to minimize acute and long-term effects of neonatal pain. Protecting the developing nervous system from persistent sensitization of pain pathways and developing primary hyperalgesia is essential. Opioids and acetaminophen are commonly analgesics used for pain control. Regional anesthesia provides adequate intraoperative and postoperative analgesia in neonates. It decreases exposure to opioids, reduces adverse drug effects, and facilitates early extubation. It suppresses the stress response and can prevent long-term behavioral responses to pain. The most common blocks performed in neonates are neuraxial blocks. Using ultrasound increased the number of peripheral nerve blocks performed in neonates. Recently, various peripheral nerve blocks (paravertebral, transverse abdominis plane, rectus sheath, quadratus lumborum, erector spinae plane blocks) were safely used. Many studies support analgesic efficacy but highlight neonates' unpredictability and variability of fascial blocks.

Quadratus lumborum blocks for abdominal transplant surgeries at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh-A five year experience.

BACKGROUND: Adequate perioperative analgesia for pediatric abdominal transplant surgery is essential for patient recovery. However, the risks of commonly used medications such as hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, bleeding concerns, and poor graft results with opioids limit pain management in this population. Thoracic epidural, continuous erector spinae plane, and type-1 quadratus lumborum blocks (QLBs) have been described and utilized in the adult population in this setting. The safety and benefits of regional anesthetic techniques in pediatrics have been widely documented for different types of procedures except pediatric abdominal transplantation, where data remains scarce. Our primary goal was to determine if QLBs provided adequate perioperative analgesia when part of a multimodal approach. Secondary objectives were to examine complications and effects on the intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital stay. METHODS: We performed a retrospective, observational study of pediatric patients who underwent abdominal transplant surgeries at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh from January 2015 to July 2021 and received a single injection QLB for pain control. Data collected included: demographics, nerve block characteristics, perioperative opioid consumption, use of non-opioid analgesia, daily pain scores, and hospital and ICU stay. RESULTS: Forty-two patients met the inclusion criteria for our study. Our results suggest that QLBs decrease opioid consumption, facilitate early extubation, prevent reintubation in the ICU, and reduce ICU and hospital stay. CONCLUSIONS: QLB is feasible and can be used as a multimodal approach for postoperative pain control in pediatric solid organ transplantation.

Continuous ultrasound-guided sacral intervertebral block for postoperative analgesia in neonates.

A sacrococcygeal teratoma and a sacral agenesis represent a contraindication to a caudal block. We report two cases where the optimal use of ultrasound helped place a sacral intervertebral catheter in two neonates. Radiological and ultrasound studies of the sacrum and spine should be available before performing the procedure.

The addition of clonidine to ropivacaine in rectus sheath nerve blocks for pediatric patients undergoing laparoscopic appendectomy: A double blinded randomized prospective study.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: The primary goal of this study was to determine if the addition of clonidine to ropivacaine prolonged periumbilical numbness compared to ropivacaine alone in pediatric patients receiving ultrasound guided rectus sheath nerve blocks for laparoscopic appendectomy. The secondary goals were to evaluate differences in perioperative pain scores, analgesic consumption, sedation, anxiolysis, and hemodynamic effects from clonidine. DESIGN: This was a single center, randomized, double-blinded prospective study. SETTING: This study was conducted within the pediatric operating rooms at the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, a large university-based academic medical center. PATIENTS: Fifty pediatric patients (ages 10-17 years old) without pre-existing cognitive impairment, developmental delay or chronic pain undergoing laparoscopic appendectomy during weekday hours were enrolled and randomized to control versus intervention groups. INTERVENTION: Ultrasound guided rectus sheath nerve block injections were performed at the beginning of surgery with either ropivacaine 0.5% plus normal saline or ropivacaine 0.5% plus clonidine (2 mcg/kg, maximum of 100 mcg). MEASUREMENTS: The duration of periumbilical numbness, Numeric Pain Rating Scale scores, University of Michigan Sedation Scale, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children, analgesic consumption, heart rate, blood pressure, and mean arterial pressures, were recorded for each patient at several time points in the perioperative setting. MAIN RESULTS: There were no significant differences in demographic characteristics between groups. The median duration of periumbilical numbness did not significantly differ between the ropivacaine only and the ropivacaine plus clonidine groups 540.0 minutes [360.0 -1015.0] (median [interquartile range (IQR)]) versus 823.5 minutes [509.5- 1080.0], p = 0.451. There were no significant differences in perioperative analgesic consumption, pain and anxiety scores, PACU sedation, or hemodynamic instability. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of clonidine did not significantly prolong rectus sheath nerve block duration and was well tolerated in pediatric patients. Perioperative analgesia, hemodynamics, anxiety, and PACU sedation did not differ between groups. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trials NCT02439281.

Randomized Population Pharmacokinetic Analysis and Safety of Intravenous Acetaminophen for Acute Postoperative Pain in Neonates and Infants.

Intravenous administration of acetaminophen is an alternative to the oral and rectal routes, which may be contraindicated in particular clinical settings. This randomized, placebo-controlled study of intravenous acetaminophen (Ofirmev, Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals, Bedminster, New Jersey) in neonate and infant patients with acute postoperative pain assessed pharmacokinetics (PK) and safety, in addition to efficacy and pharmacodynamics of repeated doses administered over 24 hours. Neonate and infant patients (<2 years of age) who were undergoing surgery or had experienced a traumatic injury and were expected to need pain management for at least 24 hours were enrolled. Subjects were randomly assigned to receive intravenous acetaminophen low dose, intravenous acetaminophen high dose, or placebo. A population PK model of intravenous acetaminophen was updated by combining 581 samples from the current study of 158 neonate and infant subjects with results from a previously developed model. The individual predicted-versus-observed concentrations plots showed that the structural PK model fit the blood and plasma acetaminophen concentration-versus-time profiles in the active and placebo groups. Terminal elimination half-life was prolonged in neonates and younger infants and in intermediate and older infants similar to values in adults. When compared with placebo, total rescue opioid consumption was similar and significantly fewer intravenous acetaminophen patients prematurely discontinued because of treatment-emergent adverse events (P < .01). For intravenous acetaminophen, neonates receiving 12.5 mg/kg every 6 hours had PK profiles similar to younger, intermediate, and older infants, adolescents, and adults weighing <50 kg receiving 15 mg/kg every 6 hours and adults ≥ 50 kg receiving 1000 mg every 6 hours.

ERAS protocol for pediatric laparoscopic cholecystectomy promotes safe and early discharge.

PURPOSE: Elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) pediatric patients in our institution have historically been admitted for an overnight hospital stay (OHS). The purpose of this study was to implement an ERAS protocol for elective LC in pediatric patients to promote same-day discharge (SDD) while maintaining excellent outcomes. METHODS: An ERAS protocol for elective LC was implemented encompassing pre-, peri-, and postoperative management. A retrospective review of prospectively collected data from patients before (BI) and after implementation (AI) of the protocol was performed. RESULTS: A total of 250 patients (BI 105, AI 145) were included in the study. The AI group had significantly higher rate of SDD compared to BI (77.2% vs. 1.9%, p < <0.01) and significantly decreased opioid use (morphine equivalents mg/kg AI 0.36 vs. BI 0.46, p < <0.001). There were also no significant differences in the rate of total 30-day emergency department visits (BI 11.4% vs. AI 9.7%, p = 0.52) or surgery-related 30-day emergency department visits (BI 7.6% vs. AI 8.3%, p = 0.53). Factors that predisposed patients to an OHS after LC included higher ASA, later surgery start times, and longer operative times. CONCLUSIONS: The ERAS protocol significantly increased the rate of SDD after elective LC in pediatric patients without an associated increase in emergency department visits or readmissions. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.