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FLACC scale for postoperative pain in children

Behavioural observation scale for pain in infants and young children who cannot self-report.

FLACC scale for postoperative pain in children
Face
Legs
Activity
Cry
Consolability
Result0 points

Consistent with no pain.

FLACC score (range 0-10)
0

When to use

  • Assessing postoperative or procedural pain in infants and children roughly 2 months to 7 years old, or in any patient unable to reliably self-report pain.

Formula

Sum of 5 behavioural categories (Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability), each scored 0-2. Range 0-10.

Pearls and pitfalls

  • Validated against nurse and parent global pain ratings and against self-report in verbal children; use self-report instead whenever it is reliably obtainable.

References

  1. Merkel SI, Voepel-Lewis T, Shayevitz JR, Malviya S. The FLACC: a behavioral scale for scoring postoperative pain in young children. Pediatr Nurs. 1997;23(3):293-297.