Intraoperative Methadone Use in Pediatric Burn Patients

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 1, 2025

Anesthesia and Intubation of Preadolescent Mouse Pups for Cardiothoracic Surgery
09:47

Anesthesia and Intubation of Preadolescent Mouse Pups for Cardiothoracic Surgery

Published on: June 2, 2022

2.5K

Amanda Carlson1, David Pham2, Cayenne Price3

  • 1Legacy Emmanuel Medical Center, Legacy Medical Group Trauma and General Surgery, Portland, Oregon, USA.

Journal of Burn Care & Research : Official Publication of the American Burn Association
|March 4, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Intraoperative methadone may reduce opioid use in pediatric burn patients. This study found decreased postoperative opioid consumption with methadone, with no observed adverse events, suggesting potential benefits for pediatric burn pain management.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Burn Care
  • Pain Management
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Pediatric burn injuries result in significant physical and mental health issues.
  • Opioids are standard for burn pain but raise concerns about dependence.
  • Methadone, an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and mu-opioid receptor agonist, is effective in adults but less studied in children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare postoperative opioid utilization in pediatric burn patients receiving intraoperative methadone versus those who did not.
  • To assess methadone-related complications in this pediatric population.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective cohort study at a Level 1 Burn Center.
  • Comparison of opioid utilization (mg/kg morphine equivalents) within 36 hours postoperatively.
  • Chart review for methadone-related adverse events.

Main Results:

  • The methadone cohort showed decreased opioid utilization (0.54 mg/kg) compared to the control cohort (0.77 mg/kg).
  • No methadone-related adverse events were identified during chart review.
  • Statistical significance for reduced opioid use was not reached (P = .18).

Conclusions:

  • Methadone use appears beneficial in pediatric burn patients, potentially reducing overall opioid requirements.
  • Further prospective studies in larger pediatric populations are needed to confirm efficacy and safety.
  • Methadone may be a valuable adjunct in managing pediatric burn pain.

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