Klin Onkol 1994; 7(6): 182-185.
Summary: Pain management is often only inadequately performed in children with malignancies. The present study evaluated the synthetic opioid Tramal - its efficacy and safety for this indication. Tramal (Grunenthal) injections and drops were administered to 36 children (19 female, 17 male) aged between 0 and 16 years. Tramal 1-2,5 mg/kg was given 4-8 hourly parenteraly (i.v., i.m.) or enteraly (p.o.) respectively. 22 children reecieved Tramal in continous infusion 70-250ug/kg/hour - 18 of them after operation. In some cases Tramal was combined with benzodiazepines (9), with tricyclic antidepressant drugs (4) and with ondansetron (6). The pain relief was assessed by visual analoque scale and gby six-step verbal rating scale, vital sings were monitored. Side effects that occured were also recorded. Analgesia was very good in 31 children, satisfactory in 2 and insufficient in 3 patients. The following side effects were recorded: tachycardia 1, nausea 2, vomitus 1. Effective pain relief was achieved by Tramal in children with malignancies with minimal side effects. Tramal given continuously i.v. was very well tolerated, the authors recommend it mainly in the management of postoperative pain.
