Dr Joanna Smith, Associate Professor, Pediatric Nursing, University from Leeds, UK
Over the past decade, there have been advances in our knowledge of the secure and effective use of pain medications in children. A recent EBN commentary reviewing a randomized, controlled trial on the effectiveness of oral morphine compared with home ibuprofen for the treatment of postoperative orthopedic pain in children (Poonai and hasl., 2017) is one example of a solid study that deepens our understanding of effective pain treatments in children.
The study is amazingly necessary since it focuses on pain management at home after surgery, which is very necessary when early discharge from hospital is now the norm. Furthermore, although opioids are the mainstay of postoperative pain management in children, complications including respiratory depression, nausea, and constipation remain an issue.
Dr. Cornelius Botha Groenewald’s summary and comments on the study are insightful, and since that is our editor’s pick for April, they’re freely available at:
http://ebn.bmj.com/content/21/2/48
Poonai N, Datoo N, Ali S, et al. Oral morphine versus home-administered ibuprofen for the treatment of postoperative orthopedic pain in children: a randomized controlled trial. CMJ 2017;189:E1252–8. doi:10.1503/cmaj.170017 Abstract/FREE full text
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