Abstract
The undertreatment of pediatric postoperative pain has been a persistent problem. This study compared postoperative morphine use between two groups of pediatric patients, those receiving intravenous (IV) morphine either as needed (PRN) or via patient-controlled analgesia (PCA). The study's objectives were to measure the mean amounts of morphine used by each group and lo determine if these amounts were significantly different. Data collection involved a retrospective review of 113 charts of patients who had undergone appendectomy surgeries. Results showed that patients in the IV PRN group used significantly less morphine postoperatively compared to the IV PCA group, controlling for demographic and clinical variables. Potential implications of these findings and recommendations for future research are offered.