Nausea and Vomiting in Postoperative Paediatric Patients With Patient-Controlled Analgesia (PCA): Morphine vs Oxycodone

Launched by MURDOCH CHILDRENS RESEARCH INSTITUTE · Dec 16, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The POPCORN trial is a study designed to compare two pain relief medications, Morphine and Oxycodone, for children and young adults recovering from surgery. The main goal is to find out if one medication leads to less nausea and vomiting and if there are differences in side effects or the amount of pain relief needed. During the study, participants will be randomly assigned to receive either Morphine or Oxycodone through a method called patient-controlled analgesia (PCA), which allows them to manage their own pain relief after surgery.

To be eligible for this trial, participants need to be between the ages of 6 and 18, have had surgery, and be able to safely use the PCA system. Parents or guardians must provide consent for their child to participate. After enrolling, participants will continue to receive their usual medical care without any extra study-related activities. The healthcare team will track their progress and any side effects using the hospital's electronic medical records, which will help researchers gather important information about the medications used.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Postoperative patients who are appropriate for a PCA including those aged 6 and above and up to age 18 years.
• • Those deemed appropriate for either morphine or oxycodone by their treating anaesthetist.
• • American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) score 1-3 inclusive
• • Those whose parents or legal guardians have provided informed consent on the patient's behalf.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Any patients with an allergy, hypersensitivity, or contraindication to morphine or oxycodone.
• • Patients in the age group with significant intellectual disability or physical incapacity rendering them incapable of using the PCA device
• • ASA score 4 or above
• • Inability or unwillingness of parent or legal guardian to provide informed consent for the study.