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Pediatric Urologic Surgery: Reducing Opioid Use

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Abstract

Adequate pain management is important for successful postoperative recovery after any surgical procedure. Unfortunately, the USA and many other parts of the world are in the midst of an opioid epidemic, and healthcare providers are thus tasked with balancing the comfort and recovery of their patients after an operation against the individual and societal harms of the over-prescription of opioids. The goal of this article is to discuss the range of opioid formulations currently in use, examine why this may be problematic, and explore alternatives that provide similar efficacy and may improve overall safety in the pediatric population after urologic surgery. Improving the way opioids are prescribed through clinical practice guidelines as well as considering alternatives to opioids can ensure patients have access to safer and more effective pain treatments and potentially reduce opioid misuse.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Creighton University School of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ, USA

    Ryan Nelson & Tim Shimon

  2. Division of Pediatric Urology, Phoenix Children’s Medical Group, Phoenix Children’s Hospital, 1920 East Cambridge Ave, Building E-Suite 302, Phoenix, AZ, 85006, USA

    Gwen M. Grimsby

Authors
  1. Ryan Nelson
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  2. Tim Shimon
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  3. Gwen M. Grimsby
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Correspondence to Gwen M. Grimsby.

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Ryan Nelson, Tim Shimon, and Gwen M. Grimsby have no conflicts of interest that are directly relevant to the content of this article.

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Author contributions

Ryan Nelson and Tim Shimon: literature review, manuscript preparation and writing. Gwen Grimsby: project design, manuscript review and editing, supervision.

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Nelson, R., Shimon, T. & Grimsby, G.M. Pediatric Urologic Surgery: Reducing Opioid Use. Pediatr Drugs 23, 417–423 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40272-021-00462-2

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