TRAMADOL INFUSION FOR PAIN THERAPY FOLLOW ING BLADDER EXSTROPHY SURGERY ON PEDIATRIC WARDS

We investigated in 17 children (mean 7.1 years) the continuous adminis tration of tramadol following augmentation cystoplasty or exstrophy re construction. Mean duration of the tramadol administration on the pedi atric ward was 3.8 +/- 1.1 days (initial dosage 0.25 mg/kg/per hour, d ose adjustment by the nursing staff). Mean tramadol consumption was 0. 21 mg/kg/h on day 1 and was reduced to 0.08 mg/kg/per hour on day 4. M edian pain score (assessed with ten-step scales) was 5 before treatmen t and between 2.5 (day 1) and 0.5 (day 5) during therapy. Lowest oxyge n saturations (mean) ranged from 93.8% to 95.2%. Three patients (17.6% ) suffered from nausea/vomiting on 3 of 64 treatment days (4.7%). Prur itus and extreme sedation did not occur. The continuous administration of tramadol is a simple and safe procedure following major urological surgery in children.