Patient-controlled versus conventional analgesia for postsurgical pain relief in adolescents.
We performed a randomized nonblinded, cross-over comparison of patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) with conventional intramuscular analgesia in 10 adolescents (13-18 years) undergoing spinal fusion for idiopathic scoliosis. PCA use afforded more effective pain control (p < 0.02) on a 10-point linear pain intensity scale than did intramuscular injections, while causing an equal amount of sedation and no side effects. PCA appears to be a promising technique for providing postoperative pain relief in this group of adolescents. Further studies are needed to define its role for other pediatric conditions.
Walson
P D
PD
Division of Clinical Pharmacology/Toxicology, Children's Hospital, Ohio State University, Columbus 43205.
Graves
P S
PS
Mortensen
M E
ME
Kern
R A
RA
Torch
M A
MA
D000293:Adolescent; D016058:Analgesia, Patient-Controlled; D000700:Analgesics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009020:Morphine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000601:surgery; D013123:Spinal Fusion
D000700:Analgesics; D009020:Morphine