How Much Opioid Do Kids Actually Need? A Prospective Study of Analgesic Prescribing and Postdischarge Opioid Use Among Pediatric Patients With Operative Fractures

Conclusions: Pain is consistently well controlled after operative pediatric fractures. Nearly all were prescribed opioids, while acetaminophen/NSAIDs were inconsistently prescribed and used. Opioid prescriptions are written for 4 to 5 times the amount needed. Prescribing ≤8 doses of opioid is adequate for acute pain through POD5 in 97% of patients. Poorly controlled pain should prompt early evaluation for possible complications. Level of Evidence: Level II—prospective comparative study.
Source: Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics - Category: Orthopaedics Tags: Trauma Source Type: research