Postoperative Pain Management in Children: Medications & Dosage

Children, just like adults, need pain medication after surgical procedures, in dosages based on the patient's age, size and extent of the surgery. Pain medication should be given to a child at home as directed by a doctor.

Types

• Children may receive narcotics during and after surgery to control pain. Those recovering in the intensive care unit receive sedatives and analgesics.

Features

• Pain medications come in various forms, such as liquids for younger children and pills for older children. A child vomiting after surgery receives suppositories; intravenous (IV) pain medications provide a continuous flow of pain relief.

Narcotics

• Narcotics are strong pain medications associated with addiction risks in adults; however, narcotic pain medication addiction is very rare in children.

Patient Control

• Children over 7 may be administered pain medication through an IV that allows the child to push a button when another dose of pain medication is needed. The machine only provides appropriate doses of medications, with no risk of overdose.

Epidural Anesthesia

• In some cases, an epidural catheter delivers medication directly to the site of the pain after surgery, but typically isn't used for more than five days.

Effects

• Common side effects of pain medication include nausea and itching, according to the Hospital for Special Surgery, but adjustments can be made to minimize such effects.