Postoperative analgesia in children: getting it right

The management of postoperative pain in children has historically been poor, but advances have been made in the last decade. As pain is a complex phenomenon, a multimodal approach to treatment is required. This article aims to give a brief overview of the practical aspects of postoperative pain management in children, including non-opioid as well as opioid analgesics, and the salient features of regional anaesthesia. South Afr J Anaesth Analg, 2011;17(6)