Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 16, 2025

Guidelines for Elective Pediatric Fiberoptic Intubation
Published on: January 17, 2011
Perioperative Analgesia in Pediatric Patients Undergoing Otolaryngologic Surgery
Andrew J Maroda1, Kimberly K Coca2, Jennifer D McLevy-Bazzanella2
1Department of Pediatric Otolaryngology, Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA; Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA.
Insights
This review examines pediatric otolaryngologic surgery pain management. Evidence is lacking for many procedures, impacting safe and effective postoperative care for children unable to fully communicate pain.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric surgery
- Pain management
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Perioperative pain management in pediatric otolaryngologic surgery is complex due to diverse procedures and children's communication limitations.
- Effective pain control is crucial for patient safety and successful recovery.
- Existing literature disproportionately covers certain procedures, leaving gaps in evidence-based guidelines for others.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current evidence on perioperative pain management strategies for pediatric otolaryngologic surgery.
- To identify areas with sufficient evidence and highlight procedural gaps.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on pediatric otolaryngologic surgery pain management.
- Analysis of the distribution of research focus across different otolaryngologic procedures.
Main Results:
- A significant disparity exists in the evidence base for pain management across various pediatric otolaryngologic procedures.
- Certain common procedures have extensive research, while many others lack sufficient evidence-based guidance.
Conclusions:
- There is a critical need for more research to develop evidence-based pain management protocols for a wider range of pediatric otolaryngologic surgeries.
- Addressing these evidence gaps is essential for optimizing pain control, patient safety, and postoperative outcomes in pediatric otolaryngology.
Abstract:
This article reviews the evidence regarding current perioperative pain management strategies in pediatric patients undergoing otolaryngologic surgery. Pediatric otolaryngology is a broad field with a wide variety of surgical procedures that each requires careful consideration for optimal perioperative pain management. Adequate pain control is vital to ensuring patient safety and achieving successful postoperative care, but many young children are limited in their capacity to communicate their pain experience. Current literature holds a disproportionate amount of focus on pain management for certain procedures, whereas there is a paucity of evidence-based literature informing most other procedures within the field.
Related Concept Videos
Parenteral Anesthetics: Overview
General Anesthesia: Overview
General anesthesia induces unconsciousness in the whole body, while the others target specific areas or sensations. It is administered to minimize adverse effects, maintain...
Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Epidural Anesthesia
Since epidural anesthetics can be infused through an epidural catheter, all types of drugs, including short-acting ones, can be administered. Chloroprocaine and lidocaine are examples of short and long-duration anesthetics, respectively. Bupivacaine...
Endoscopic Procedures IV: Sigmoidoscopy and Laproscopy
Sigmoidoscopy
Sigmoidoscopy is a diagnostic procedure that uses a flexible sigmoidoscope equipped with a light source and camera to examine the rectum and sigmoid colon. The procedure involves inserting the tube through the anus...
Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Spinal Anesthesia
Stages of General Anesthesia

