Some centers, however, encourage a parent controlled analgesia in children with chronic pain from Cancer or Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. Parent Assisted Analgesia is a compromise where by both parent and child decides on appropriatness of using the PCA Device. It might provide better analgesic during sleep but this is not supported by the literature. Many oncology patients, with prior opioid use, appear to benefit from a basal rate. Side Effects Nausea, vomiting and urinary retention appear to be no more frequent with PCA than with IM narcotics.
Respiratory depression is rare except when combined with other sedating drugs.
For example what other purpose has anyone found for the sacral hiatus except for easy access to the pediatric epidural space by anesthesiologists. The epidural space can be approached at any level but the caudal and lumbar approach are the most popular in children. Note - in spite of concerns about soilage of caudal catheters this has not been a problem. When placing a catheter using LOR technique use saline. Use of air runs the risk of a paradoxical air embolism in infants with patient foramen ovale.