The effect of intraoperative methadone during pediatric cardiac surgery on postoperative opioid requirements

Background Pain control in pediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgery presents a unique challenge. Postoperatively, many of these patients require long‐term opioid infusions and sedation leading to need for prolonged weaning from opioids and longer hospital stays. We hypothesized that intravenous methadone as the sole opioid in children having cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass would improve perioperative pain control and decrease overall perioperative use of opioid analgesics and sedatives. Methods We instituted a practice change involving pediatric patients aged