Mechanism of Action, Cellular Targets and Clinical Importance of Analgesic Therapy in Postoperative Pediatric Patients: A Brief Observation

Abstract

Pain is a distressing sensation that has the potential to induce changes in multiple organ systems, especially in pediatric patients following surgical procedures. Efficient pain management is of the utmost importance for patients who wish to reduce or eliminate pain and distress with minimal adverse effects. The objective of this review is to investigate the clinical outcome, cellular targets, and mechanism of action of pain relief treatment in pediatric surgical patients after an operation. The literature search for this review was performed by accessing the Pubmed and Google Scholar databases; as a result, thirty publications were obtained for use as references. In compiling this review, the authors have categorized analgesic pharmaceuticals into three distinct groups: NSAIDs, opioids, and acetaminophen. In accordance with the review's stated objective, three distinct indicators are employed to compare these categories. This succinct investigation revealed that a consensus among clinicians and researchers was reached regarding the optimal strategy for managing postoperative pain in children. It was concluded that acetaminophen should be the initial course of treatment, followed by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and opioids being reserved as the last choice.