Intravenous Patient-controlled Analgesia for Postoperative Pain Management in Patients with Cerebral Palsy

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) with fentanyl and ketorolac for postoperative pain management in patients with cerebral palsy. Materials and Methods: Sixty patients were categorized based on operation complexity into either a minor operation group or a major operation group, and then subdivided based on the analgesic methods used, i.e., intravenous PCA with fentanyl and ketorolac or intravenous pethidine injection. Pain intensity was assessed using the Wong-Baker's faces pain scale. Results: In the major operation group, patients that received PCA had significantly lower pain scores than those who received intravenous pethidine injection, while no significant differences in pain scores were observed in the minor operation group. Moreover, the side effects of these two analgesic methods did not differ significantly. Conclusion: Intravenous PCA with fentanyl and ketorolac is effective and safe for moderate to severe postoperative pain control in pediatric patients with cerebral palsy.