jenny, Author at Society for Pediatric Pain Medicine

Question of the Month – November 2023

A 3-month-old infant undergoes a Kasai procedure for biliary atresia. An epidural catheter was threaded from the caudal space to the thoracic level, and the position was confirmed by an epidurogram. On post-op day #1 the bedside nurse states that they do not think the epidural is working because the baby cries intermittently and sometimes appears uncomfortable. FLACC scores have been between 0-6. The baby has an NG tube in place, a right radial arterial line, and 2 peripheral IVs in the upper extremities.

Which of the following techniques is best for determining whether the epidural is functional or not?

A. Confirm the position of the epidural with Ultrasound

B. Use the Wong-Baker Faces Pain Scale in place of the FLACC

C. Check dermatome levels by gently palpating along the chest and abdomen

D. Stop the epidural and look for increased pain behavior

Correct! Wrong!

Question of the Month - November 2023

Does a Preoperative Mental Health Diagnosis Affect Pain Management in Patients with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Undergoing Surgery?

This study suggests that patients with AIS with a preoperative mental health disorder undergoing PSF experience more pain after surgery and require more pain medication during their recovery.

Read the study here: https://doi.org/10.1097/bpo.0000000000002545

An Opioid-minimizing Multimodal Pain Regimen Reduces Opioid Exposure and Pain in Trauma-injured Patients at High Risk for Opioid Misuse

This study is the first to show the moderating influence of opioid misuse risk on the effectiveness of an opioid-minimizing multimodal pain regimen. The Opioid Risk Tool was useful in identifying high-risk patients for whom the Multimodal Analgesic Strategies for Trauma multimodal pain regimen is recommended for perioperative pain management.

Read the study here: https://www.surgjournal.com/article/S0039-6060(23)00597-4/fulltext#ga1

Question of the Month – October 2023

A 66 kg 15-year-old male with a history of sickle cell disease on methadone maintenance therapy for back pain and adolescent idiopathic scoliosis presents for posterior spinal fusion with combination general and regional anesthesia. Which of the following characteristics may increase the likelihood of developing chronic post-surgical pain (CPSP) in this child?

A. Male patient

B. History of pre-operative pain

C. Undergoing orthopedic surgery versus thoracic surgery

D. Use of a regional anesthetic technique

Correct! Wrong!

Question of the Month - October 2023

Racial Bias in Perceptions of Children’s Pain

A new study published in Journal of Experimental Psychology: Applied examines the impact of racial bias in the way children’s pain is perceived by clinicians. Unfortunately, this study confirms that racial bias continues to contribute to inequities in managing pain among racialized children. According to the paper: “This work finds that adult perceivers believed Black children had lived harder lives and thus were less sensitive to pain than White children, with implications for hypothetical pain care recommendations. This research provides insight into how adults’ race stereotypes may impact their perceptions of young children’s pain and which may contribute to differential pain care decisions across child race.”

Follow the link to this study: https://doi.org/10.1037/xap0000491

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Question of the Month – November 2023

Does a Preoperative Mental Health Diagnosis Affect Pain Management in Patients with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Undergoing Surgery?

An Opioid-minimizing Multimodal Pain Regimen Reduces Opioid Exposure and Pain in Trauma-injured Patients at High Risk for Opioid Misuse

Question of the Month – October 2023

Racial Bias in Perceptions of Children’s Pain

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