Postoperative analgesia in neonates: an Australia-wide survey.

An Australia-wide survey of the use of postoperative analgesia in neonates has been conducted. A high overall use of analgesia has been recorded with 75% of respondents prescribing an opioid. The frequency of use of local or regional analgesia was disappointingly low at 8% overall. The general attitude is that analgesia is desirable but a fear of respiratory depression inhibits its use, particularly in non-ventilated neonates and after more minor surgery. It is suggested that a wider use of regional anaesthesia techniques may reduce this problem.