Postoperativ smertebehandling af børn

Postoperative pain management in children has been subject to increasing interest during the last decade, but is still insufficient. A survey is presented concerning postoperative pain management in children. The value of monitoring the pain as well as the opioid side effects in children is stressed, and such methods are presented. Acute Pain Service is mentioned and the most important pharmacological aspects regarding non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, paracetamol, opioids and local anaesthetics are discussed. The management of postoperative pain in neonates is reviewed separately. It is concluded that the present insufficient management of postoperative pain in children is not due to the lack of methods and techniques, but rather to lack of sufficient utilization and comprehension of the possibilities. Moreover, pain management in children should be individualised. It is also necessary to be more aware of side effects of the pharmacological treatment.