Brief Article
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World J Clin Pediatr. Nov 8, 2013; 2(4): 65-69
Published online Nov 8, 2013. doi: 10.5409/wjcp.v2.i4.65
Tramadol use in pediatric sickle cell disease patients with vaso-occlusive crisis
Mary P Borgerding, Randall K Absher, Tsz-Yin So
Mary P Borgerding, Randall K Absher, Department of Pharmacy, Wesley Long Hospital, Greensboro, NC 27401, United States
Tsz-Yin So, Department of Pharmacy, Moses H Cone Memorial Hospital, Greensboro, NC 27401, United States
Author contributions: Borgerding MP performed the majority of the research; Absher RK helped with the statistical analysis of the data; So TY helped with the design of the study and edited the manuscript.
Correspondence to: Tsz-Yin So, Pharm D, BCPS, Department of Pharmacy, Moses H. Cone Memorial Hospital, 1200 N. Elm St., Greensboro, NC 27401, United States. jeremy.so@conehealth.com
Telephone: +1-336-8327287
Received: March 28, 2013
Revised: May 30, 2013
Accepted: June 28, 2013
Published online: November 8, 2013
Core Tip

Core tip: A small clinical study has shown that balanced analgesia using intravenous morphine, intravenous ketorolac, and intravenous tramadol followed by erythrocytapheresis was effective, as shown by pain relief and significant improvement in mood and sleep, in seven sickle cell disease patients aged three to twenty-eight years who presented with vaso-occlusive crisis. The objective of this study is to evaluate whether the addition of scheduled oral tramadol to intravenous morphine plus intravenous ketorolac provides adequate pain relief, and reduces morphine requirements, adverse effects, length of patient-controlled analgesia therapy, and length of hospital stay.