An audit of patient-controlled analgesia after appendicectomy in children.

Background: Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) is commonly used after appendicectomy in children.

Aim: The aim of this study was to characterize the analgesic use of children prescribed PCA after appendicetomy, in order to rationalize future use of this modality.

Methods: We retrospectively audited all cases of acute appendicitis over a 4-year period in a single pediatric hospital, recording demographics, surgical approach, pathology, analgesia use, pain scores, and duration of PCA.