Multimodal Pain Management in Extremely Low Birth Weight Neonates after Major Abdominal Surgery

Abstract

Limited data are available in the literature on multimodal pain management in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) neonates. This chapter aimed to summarize current knowledge about the effects of analgesics and sedatives (paracetamol, opioids, benzodiazepines and anaesthetics) on postoperative pain management (≤ 48 hours after surgery). The primary endpoints of postoperative pain management were searched using validated pain assessment instruments, such as pain intensity, excessive sedation, drug consumption or adequate rescue medication. The secondary endpoints are the safety parameters of the drugs used, while the determinants of short/long-term outcome (duration of mechanical ventilation, intraventricular haemorrhage—IVH, periventricular leukomalacia—PVL, postnatal growth restriction, stage of chronic lung disease—CLD or neurodevelopmental outcome according to the Bayley-II Scale of Infant Development at 18–24 months or developmental equivalents at early-school age) were assessed as tertiary endpoints. Additionally, one of the most important key elements of clinical science is known as clinical research study validation, including specific tools and techniques within the validation processes. This chapter focuses on postoperative multimodal pain management, including the implementation of pain assessment tools and analgesic and sedative dosing regimens needed to achieve the efficacy and safety goals of an optimal pain profile in ELBW neonates; only proven non-pharmacological procedures are not included.