Journal of perianesthesia nursing : official journal of the American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses
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Children undergoing tonsillectomy remain at risk for postoperative pain, respiratory depression, and postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), presenting unique challenges for the postanesthesia nurse. This prospective, observational study examined the relationships between and factors contributing to these outcomes in 102 children after tonsillectomy. All children received an intraoperative opioid and one or more antiemetics. ⋯ Respiratory events were not associated with age, sleep-disordered breathing, or opioid use. This study suggests that children undergoing tonsillectomy experience significant pain and respiratory events. Further study examining nonopioid treatments are warranted to determine the best practices for this high-risk group of children.
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J. Perianesth. Nurs. · Apr 2011
ReviewUse of intravenous acetaminophen in the treatment of postoperative pain.
Pain management is a crucial component in the care of the postoperative patient. Although there have been innovative advances in pain management and new analgesic modalities, a need still exists for safer and more tolerable analgesics for the management of pain in the postoperative setting. ⋯ Intravenous acetaminophen may help reduce the consumption of opioid analgesics and has a safety and tolerability profile comparable to placebo. This review will discuss the novel characteristics of intravenous acetaminophen that may make it an attractive choice for the management of acute pain in the postoperative period.