Children and the Opioid Crisis: We Can Make a Difference

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Anesthesiology
• Pain Management
• Public Health

Background:

• Opioid use in children presents risks, including adverse events and contribution to the opioid crisis.
• Effective perioperative pain management is essential for pediatric surgical outcomes.
• Balancing pain control with opioid risks requires careful consideration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the importance of opioid-sparing and opioid-free strategies in pediatric perioperative pain management.
• To emphasize the need for individualized pain management plans in children.
• To advocate for a comprehensive understanding of pain management options.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on pediatric pain management.
• Discussion of risks and benefits of opioids, nonopioid adjuncts, and regional anesthesia.
• Ethical considerations in pediatric pain management.

Main Results:

• Opioid-sparing and opioid-free approaches can provide adequate analgesia in children.
• These strategies reduce the risk of opioid-related adverse events.
• Individualized patient evaluation is key to successful pain management.

Conclusions:

• Perioperative practitioners have an obligation to utilize opioid-sparing/opioid-free strategies for optimal pediatric outcomes.
• A thorough knowledge of pain management modalities and ethical principles is vital.
• Implementing these strategies contributes to combating the opioid crisis.