Patient-Controlled Analgesia (PCA)

With this modality, the patient has limited control of the dosing of opioid from an infusion pump within tightly mandated parameters.
PCA can be used for intravenous or epidural infusion.
This technique avoids any delays in administration and permits greater dosing flexibility than other regimens, better adapting to individual differences in responsiveness to pain and to opioids.
It also gives the patient a greater sense of control.
With shorter-acting opioids, serious toxicity or excessive use rarely occurs.
An early concern that self-administration of opioids would increase the probability of addiction has not materialized.
PCA is suitable for adults and children, and it is preferred over intramuscular injections for postoperative pain control