Pain Management in the Post-Operative Pediatric Urologic Patient

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Optimizing pain management is a component of enhanced perioperative recovery for children undergoing urologic surgery. Incisional pain and discomfort from bladder spasms are two types of pain associated with bladder surgery. A child's developmental level and verbal skills must be considered when selecting pain assessment tools. Assessing pain location, type, and intensity is essential in developing a multimodal plan of care for post-operative pain. Pharmacological interventions provide effective pain management, which facilitates early ambulation, return to oral intake, and recovery. Pre-operative preparation, non-pharmacological interventions, and parental presence help decrease anxiety and promote comfort, as well as support a child's coping skills.