title: Comparison of single-dose nalbuphine versus tramadol for postoperative pain management in children: a randomized, controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Acute postoperative pain control in children is an essential component of postoperative care, particularly in daycare procedures. Giving patients continuous narcotic analgesics can be risky; however, a single dose may be sufficient.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study used a prospective, randomized controlled design and was conducted at the Pediatric Surgery Unit, Services Hospital, Lahore. In total, 150 patients who underwent inguinal herniotomy (age range: 1-12 years) were randomly assigned to two groups: group A (nalbuphine) and group B (tramadol). Patients were given a single dose of either nalbuphine (0.2 mg/kg) or tramadol (2 mg/kg) immediately after surgery and pain was measured at 0, 1, 2, 4, and 8 h.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The demographic characteristics were similar between the two groups. The mean pain score was lower in group A than in group B at 0 and 1 h (P < 0.05). However, at 4 h and 8 h, the pain scores in group A were still lower, but not significantly. In all, 9 patients (12.0%) required rescue analgesics in group A compared to 16 patients (21.3%) in group B (P = 0.051). The mean time for requirement of rescue analgesics was 6.5 ± 0.5 h in group A and 5.3 ± 1.7 h in group B (P = 0.06).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A single dose of nalbuphine is sufficient, and superior to tramadol, for postoperative pain management in children who have undergone daycare procedures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, Services Institute of Medical Sciences/Services Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Naeem
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-1423-0440
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Liaqat
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, Services Institute of Medical Sciences/Services Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Sajid Hameed
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Dar
keywords: Child; Inguinal hernia; Nalbuphine; Postoperative pain; Tramadol