Low dose ketamine for pediatric procedure-related pain

For painful procedures in children, national recommendations are now available in France. When sedation-analgesia with nitrous oxide/oxygen mixture fails, in order to perform a painful procedure under good conditions, low dose ketamine (IV bolus titration 0.5 mg/kg but not more than 2 mg/kg) is the only drug potentially used by a trained physician, without the presence of an anaesthesiologist (Grade A). With these dosages without drug combination, the highest level of security depends largely on the quality of the hospital environment (Grade A). Intramuscular (< 4 mg/kg) is an alternative route, but the recovery time is delayed (Grade B). The optimal management is performed by an anesthesiologist, it is necessary to facilitate access to the operating room for children undergoing this type of procedure (Professional consensus). Mainly IV ketamine can be used by pediatric intensive care and emergency physicians who currently have medical skills to detect and treat side effects. (C) 2012 Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.