PhD defence T.G. (Thomas) de Leeuw

Below is a brief summary of the dissertation: 

This thesis focuses on pediatric pain, an important but under-researched aspect of (pediatric) anesthesiology. The introduction discusses three themes: pharmacology in acute and chronic pain management, the risk of chronic pain after scoliosis surgery, and the treatment of an increasingly common chronic pain problem in children; ACNES (anterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome).
A systematic literature review shows that Dipyrone (Metamizol) does not provide superior pain relief compared to paracetamol or NSAIDs in children. 
Additionally, a study finds that 26% of children develop chronic pain after scoliosis surgery, with preoperative pain thresholds potentially playing a predictive role.
A survey among clinicians reveals a lack of consensus on diagnosing and treating neuropathic pain in children. Furthermore, a study protocol is presented for a trial investigating the effectiveness of morphine combined with gabapentin in severe neuropathic pain.
A systematic literature review shows that for ACNES in children, there is a lack of evidence-based treatment guidelines. A cohort study shows that many children undergo invasive treatments without applying a bio-psycho-social model, potentially leading to persistent pain. A new treatment algorithm is proposed.
Finally, the importance of intensive interdisciplinary pain therapy is emphasized as an effective treatment for chronic pain in children, despite initial high costs.