Comparative study of two Tramadol prescription protocols for postoperative analgesia in children

We reported the result of a prospective study concerning the use of Tramadol for postoperative analgesia in children. Seventy-two children 1 to 6 year's old were enrolled. Tramadol was given at a dose of 1 mg/kg for 30 minutes and Oral regimen started 4 hours after at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg/6 hours for 24 hours in 40 child. Only one dose of Tramad?l, 2 Mg/kg, was used in other 32 children. We assessed every 3 hours: pain scale (CHEOPS), respiratory rate, and cardiac rate, blood pressure and sedation scale. We obtained satisfactory analgesia in 70% of children since the first hour postoperatively with 2 mg/kg Tramadol and in 60% of them who received 1 mg/kg. In the first group, analgesia had lasted for 24 hours in 62.5% of children and in 80% of children with oral Tramadol. The main side effect was vomiting as reported in 25% of children especially after intravenous Tramadol and mild sedation in 34% of them. Tramadol is a safe and efficient analgesic molecule in children.