UI - 000165

AU - Litman RS

AU - Shapiro BS

TI - Oral patient-controlled analgesia in adolescents

AB - Adolescence is a time when concerns about independence and self-control are of paramount

importance. These developmental issues must be considered when planning treatment for adolescents with

acute or chronic pain. Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) is a method of administering opioids that

reinforces patient autonomy. Traditionally, opioids given by PCA are administered via the intravenous or

subcutaneous route. Issues of autonomy and control, however, are no less important for patients receiving

oral opioids. To augment patient autonomy, we have provided oral medication kept at the bedside (oral

bedside PCA) for adolescents with diverse pain problems. We describe our selection criteria and methods for

using oral bedside PCA with adolescents and present 4 patients who used this method.

SO - Journal of Pain & Symptom Management 1992;7:78-8