RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Does analgesia mask diagnosis of appendicitis among children?
JF Canadian Family Physician
JO Can Fam Physician
FD The College of Family Physicians of Canada
SP 39
OP 41
VO 53
IS 1
A1 Rudy Bromberg
A1 Ran D. Goldman
YR 2007
UL http://www.cfp.ca/content/53/1/39.abstract
AB QUESTION Can analgesia be given safely to patients with suspected appendicitis prior to surgical evaluation without masking physical signs and symptoms? ANSWER Withholding analgesia from patients with acute abdominal pain and suspected appendicitis is common. This practice, however, is not supported by published literature. Although a few trials have noted some changes in abdominal examination with analgesia, this has not been associated with any changes in patient outcome. If patients are in pain, analgesia is warranted. Larger multicentre trials are needed to establish practice guidelines.