[Postoperative analgesia in 3 Dutch hospitals: a pilot study]

Postoperative pain management is an area where preventive measures must be possible. This management will be linked to the expected pain in the postoperative period. To get a better insight in the expectancies and given treatment an inquiry was held in three Dutch hospitals. Of 48 often performed operative procedures in children only in 9 cases agreement was achieved. As a consequence treatment options were divers. Undertreatment is not unlikely. Postoperative pain scores by nurses was in 15 of 48 operative procedures significant higher than those by doctors.