ACS and APSA address pain control after surgery for children and teens

The American College of Surgeons (ACS) and American Pediatric Surgical Association (APSA) recently released patient education resources on the ACS website to inform parents and teens about safe pain control after an operation.

The Safe and Effective Pain Control After Surgery for Children and Teens brochure was researched using the best evidence available and developed as a resource for surgeons to address appropriate pain management options for young surgical patients who have unique pain relief needs. The brochure features a guide for parents and children/teens to help them decide when to take medications based on the types of activities performed in the days following an operation.

The brochure includes information to help young patients and their parents lower the risk of misuse and diversion of opioids to inappropriate persons, understand the proper use of these medications for severe pain, and safely store and dispose of prescription medications. It also includes an insert that describes nonmedication therapies, commonly prescribed medications and their side-effects, and a customizable form for patients to list their medications, doses, and times of administration following an operation.

“APSA is proud to have collaborated with the ACS on these important parent resources. Our care goes beyond the operating room to ensure pediatric patients are comfortable after surgery and, equally important, that we create a space where families are comfortable asking about and understanding pain medication use, options, and risks,” said APSA President Joseph P. Vacanti, MD, FACS.

“These new resources are a vital tool that will help surgeons work with parents to safeguard children’s care during the postsurgery phase and also provide a framework for a presurgery discussion between parents, young patients, and surgeons,” said ACS Executive Director David B. Hoyt, MD, FACS. “We’ve made these resources publicly available for free on our website so everyone who needs this information has access to it. We encourage all to take advantage of it.”

View the brochure and other resources on the ACS website.