Uso de opiáceos en niños con cáncer avanzado en cuidados paliativos / Use of opioids in palliative care of children with advanced cancer

INTRODUCCIÓN A pesar del avance en el tratamiento del cáncer en pediatría, en Chile el 15% de niños fallece por progresión de la enfermedad, siendo el dolor el síntoma más importante en esta etapa. Las pautas de la OMS demuestran que los opiáceos son fundamentales para controlar el dolor, sin embargo aún existe resistencia a su utilización. OBJETIVO Describir la experiencia en el uso de opiáceos para el manejo del dolor en pacientes pediátricos con cáncer avanzado en cuidados paliativos (CP). PACIENTES Y MÉTODO Estudio retrospectivo de datos registrados en fichas clínicas de pacientes oncológicos ingresados en el Programa de CP, Hospital de Niños Dr. Roberto del Río entre los años 2002 y 2013. Se analizaron datos demográficos, diagnóstico oncológico, intensidad del dolor al ingreso y egreso según escalas validadas. Se registró el uso de antiinflamatorios no esteroideos, opiáceos débiles, opiáceos fuertes, fármacos coadyuvantes, efectos secundarios por uso de morfina y necesidad de sedación paliativa. RESULTADOS Se analizaron 99 fichas médicas, 64,6% de hombres, mediana de 8 años, distribución similar en grupos de enfermedades oncológicas. Al ingreso un 43,4% manifestó de dolor intenso a severo y al egreso solo 4 pacientes, pero con EVA máxima de 7 solo en un caso. De 66 pacientes que utilizaron opiáceos fuertes el 89% requirió menos de 0,5 mg/kg/h de morfina. El estreñimiento fue el efecto secundario más frecuente. Un 77% recibió algún fármaco coadyuvante para el manejo del dolor: 40 utilizaron corticoides, 11 benzodiacepinas y en 25 casos combinación de estos fármacos, incluyendo el uso de gabapentina en 7 casos. CONCLUSIONES Dos tercios de los pacientes requirieron opiáceos fuertes, logrando un adecuado control del dolor, sin observar complicaciones severas. El uso de opiáceos en este grupo de pacientes, siguiendo un protocolo, es efectivo y seguro.

INTRODUCTION Despite advances in the treatment of cancer in paediatric patients, 15% of children die from the illness progression in Chile, and pain is the most significant symptom in advanced stages. Although the World Health Organization guidelines demonstrate that opioids are fundamental in pain management, there is still resistance to their use. The main objective of this article was to describe the experience in the use of opioids for pain management in paediatric patients with advanced cancer in palliative care (PC). PATIENTS AND METHOD Retrospective study of patients admitted into the PC Program at the Hospital Roberto del Río between 2002 and 2013. Analysis was carried out on demographic data; oncological diagnosis; pain intensity on admission and discharge, according to validated scales; use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; weak opioids; strong opioids; adjuvants drugs; the presence of secondary effects resulting from the use of morphine, and the need for palliative sedation. RESULTS Of the 99 medical records analysed, the median age was 8 years, 64.6% were male, and there was a similar distribution in three oncological diagnosis groups. Upon admission, 43.4% presented intense to severe pain, and upon discharge there were four patients, but with a maximum VAS score of 7 in only one case. Of the 66 patients taking strong opioids, 89% required less than 0.5 mg/kg/hr. Constipation was the most frequently observed secondary effect. CONCLUSIONS Two thirds of the patients studied required strong opioids, with which adequate pain management was achieved, with no serious complications observed. The use of opioids in this group of patients, following a protocol, is considered effective and safe.

[Use of opioids in palliative care of children with advanced cancer]. / Uso de opiáceos en niños con cáncer avanzado en cuidados paliativos.

INTRODUCTION: Despite advances in the treatment of cancer in paediatric patients, 15% of children die from the illness progression in Chile, and pain is the most significant symptom in advanced stages. Although the World Health Organization guidelines demonstrate that opioids are fundamental in pain management, there is still resistance to their use. The main objective of this article was to describe the experience in the use of opioids for pain management in paediatric patients with advanced cancer in palliative care (PC). PATIENTS AND METHOD: Retrospective study of patients admitted into the PC Program at the Hospital Roberto del Río between 2002 and 2013. Analysis was carried out on demographic data; oncological diagnosis; pain intensity on admission and discharge, according to validated scales; use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; weak opioids; strong opioids; adjuvants drugs; the presence of secondary effects resulting from the use of morphine, and the need for palliative sedation. RESULTS: Of the 99 medical records analysed, the median age was 8 years, 64.6% were male, and there was a similar distribution in three oncological diagnosis groups. Upon admission, 43.4% presented intense to severe pain, and upon discharge there were four patients, but with a maximum VAS score of 7 in only one case. Of the 66 patients taking strong opioids, 89% required less than 0.5mg/kg/hr. Constipation was the most frequently observed secondary effect. CONCLUSIONS: Two thirds of the patients studied required strong opioids, with which adequate pain management was achieved, with no serious complications observed. The use of opioids in this group of patients, following a protocol, is considered effective and safe.

Develando el significado del proceso de duelo en enfermeras(os) pediátricas(os) que se enfrentan a la muerte de un paciente a causa del cáncer / Revealing the Meaning of the Mourning Process of Pediatric Nurses Facing the Death of Cancer Patients / Revelando o significado do processo de luto em enfermeiros(as) pediátricos(as) que enfrentam a morte de um paciente por causa do câncer

Objetivo: develar el significado del duelo en enfermeras(os) que enfrentaron la muerte de niños con cáncer. La muerte de un niño(a) por cáncer genera un gran impacto en el equipo de enfermería, lo que produce impotencia, frustración y pena, que pueden llegar a causar Burnout. Método: se utilizó la investigación cualitativa fenomenológica basada en Husserl; se recogió la experiencia de diez enfermeras(o) oncológicas(os) pediátricas que enfrentaron la muerte de pacientes con cáncer bajo su cuidado. Los datos se obtuvieron de junio a noviembre del 2011 con entrevistas en profundidad grabadas y transcritas literalmente. El análisis fenomenológico se realizó según el método de Streubert. Resultado: los testimonios entregados develaron tres unidades de significado: las enfermeras vivencian la muerte de un paciente a través del transitar entre su propia forma de enfrentar la muerte y el cuidado profesional que otorgan. Con ello aparece un aprendizaje de vida dado por la comprensión de lo que es trabajar en oncología y los vínculos que establece en este ámbito. Esto permite desarrollar un cuidado con un sello particular. Conclusión: el estudio concluye que las enfermeras experimentan el duelo como un proceso dinámico al que atribuyen sentido a través de la entrega de un cuidado amoroso.

Objective: The purpose of this article is to reveal the meaning of the mourning period in nurses that have had to deal with the death of cancer-stricken children. The death of a cancer-stricken child affects the nursing staff deeply, bringing on feeling of powerlessness, frustration, and shame; these feelings can result in burnout. Method: Qualitative case-based research was undertaken based on Husserl, and ten cases of pediatric oncology nurses who faced the death of child patients under their care were reported. The study took place from June to November 2011 through verbatim-reported in depth interviews. Results: Undertaken using Streubert's method, this case-study revealed three essential issues: the nurses experience the death of a child by shifting between their own approaches to loss and the professional care they provide. This path brings life teachings, given the empathy of working in cancer units and the bonds created in this environment, thus allowing the nursing staff to provide unique nursing care. Conclusion: The study concluded that by providing patients with loving care, nurses have a dynamic approach to their experience of loss.

Objetivo: revelar o significado do luto em enfermeiros(as) que enfrentam a morte de crianças com câncer. A morte de uma criança por câncer gera um grande impacto na equipe de enfermagem, o que produz impotência, frustração e pena, que podem chegar a causar Burnout. Método: utilizou-se a pesquisa qualitativa fenomenológica baseada em Husserl; foi coletada a experiência de dez enfermeiros(as) oncológicos pediátricos(as) que enfrentaram a morte de pacientes com câncer sob o seu cuidado. Os dados obtiveram-se de junho a novembro de 2011 com entrevistas com profundidade, gravadas e transcritas literalmente. A análise fenomenológica realizou-se segundo o método de Streubert. Resultado: as declarações revelaram três elementos principais: as enfermeiras vivenciam a morte de um paciente por meio do transitar entre sua própria forma de enfrentar a morte e o cuidado profissional que outorgam. Com isso se ganha um aprendizado de vida dado pela compreensão do que é trabalhar em oncologia e os vínculos que se estabelece neste âmbito. Isso permite desenvolver um cuidado com um selo especial. Conclusão: o estudo conclui que os(as) enfermeiros(as) experimentam o luto como um processo dinâmico que atribui sentido por meio da entrega de um cuidado amoroso.