Are postoperative pain instruments useful for specific groups of vulnerable infants?

Abstract

Based on the authors' review of the literature on pediatric postoperative pain assessment with special attention to groups of vulnerable infants, this article (1) reports on type of surgery and its relationship to postoperative pain intensity; (2) reviews the characteristics of existing postoperative pain instruments for neonates, infants, and toddlers; (3) discusses timing, duration, and who should assess postoperative pain; (4) reviews the specific literature on pain assessment in critically ill infants, including the extremely low birth weight and the cognitively and/or neurologically impaired infant, and (5) discusses the role of parents in postoperative pain assessment. Postoperative pain instruments are useful for specific groups of vulnerable infants, but it is important that in addition to the valuable scoring of pain, common sense is used and factors such as developmental stage, temperament and personality, number of previous painful experiences, anxiety, and environmental factors are taken into account.