Articles: pain-clinics.
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Pain control in children is still a therapeutic dilemma. Preschool patients are affected from undesirable effects of postoperative pain more than adults. Tonsillectomy is associated with a high incidence of postoperative pain, not only complicating the recovery, but also delaying patients discharge. ⋯ The study demonstrated that the both subcutaneous and intravenous injections of ketamine, at the end of the operation, were safe and effective for post-tonsillectomy pain control. Ketamine reduced postoperative analgesic medications consumption without increasing the risk of complications.
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The effect of adding clonidine to local anesthetics for nerve or plexus blocks remains unclear. Most of the studies in adults have demonstrated the positive effects of clonidine on intra- and postoperative analgesia when used as an adjunctive agent or in some cases as a single to regional techniques. In the pediatric population, there are only few trials involving clonidine as an adjunct to regional anesthesia, and the analgesic benefits are not definite in this group of patients. The evidence concerning perineural administration of clonidine is so far inconclusive in children, as different types and volume of local anesthetic agents have been used in these studies. Moreover, the efficacy of regional anesthesia is largely affected by the operator's technique, accuracy and severity of operation. ⋯ Clonidine appears promising more as an adjuvant in 0.2% ropivacaine and less than alone in the SLPB plus femoral block in children undergoing mild to moderate painful foot surgery, with no side effects.
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The activity of a paediatric chronic pain clinic is described. The author highlight the importance of the first visit of the child with its parents, and of a multidisciplinary approach adapted to the child's individual needs.
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Quality assurance is increasingly important in the current health care climate. An electronic database can be used for tracking patient information and as a research tool to provide quality assurance for patient care. ⋯ The electronic database was found to be relevant and functional for the identified goals of data storage and research.