Use of buprenorphine in children with chronic pseudoobstruction syndrome: case series and review of literature.

OBJECTIVES: Abdominal pain is the most challenging symptom in chronic intestinal pseudoobstruction (CIPO) syndrome, because of its severity and the limited availability of suitable opioid formulations, especially in pediatric patients with digestive problems. Most of the children with CIPO cannot tolerate oral formulations. CASE REPORTS: We present 4 cases of children with CIPO and severe intractable abdominal pain, and report on the use of a recently available form of opioid, transdermal buprenorphine in a dosage of 5 mcg/h. DISCUSSION: CIPO and the unique pharmacological profile of buprenorphine are reviewed briefly.