The following is the summary of “Persistent Post-Operative Pain in Children – An Argument for a Transitional Pain Service in Pediatrics”  published in the December 2022 issue of Pain Management by Haynes, et al.

Still, some kids feel discomfort long after their surgeries are over. The majority of studies focus on specific procedures, however despite the rising body of knowledge on causes, there is little debate on therapy and prevention. The goals of this retrospective chart review are to identify risk factors and clinical features of persistent post-operative pain following any surgery in a pediatric quaternary complex pain service; describe the pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic management in children; and explore options to improve outcomes, in particular, the introduction of a transitional pain service.

Using appropriate registries, 31 children were selected over a 2-year period for a retrospective chart review, during which their demographics, gender, age, pain location, operation type, treatment, and outcomes were recorded. 31  young patients were confirmed to have complicated pain after surgery. According to the available literature, chronic post-operative pain is most typically experienced by patients who have undergone orthopedic surgery. Implementing the pain management plan resulted in pain relief for all children except 4. 

Intervention was implemented promptly, non-pharmacologic methods were prioritized, and opioids were used sparingly. Risk factors should be identified, but more importantly, preventative measures should be put into place. A transitional pain service is the most effective at providing early intervention and the execution of methods before and shortly after.

Source: sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1524904222001291