Ketorolac for Pain Management After Abdominal Surgical Procedures in Infants

BACKGROUND: While the use of intravenous ketorolac in infants less than 6 months old has not been previously reported, ketorolac may reduce opioid use and prevent opioid-associated side effects that are frequent in this age group. We reviewed our experience with ketorolac in infants to develop recommendations for using it after abdominal surgery. METHODS: We reviewed the records of 10 infants less than 6 months old who received ketorolac supplemented with morphine and 8 infants who received morphine alone for pain after abdominal surgery. RESULTS: Infants receiving ketorolac required less morphine than infants receiving morphine alone in the first 48 hours after surgery. Four patients receiving ketorolac did not require any supplemental morphine. CONCLUSIONS: Ketorolac reduces the amount of morphine required after abdominal surgery in infants less than 6 months old. The use of ketorolac deserves further study as a method of reducing opioid-associated adverse effects in this patient group.