Barnett AM, Machovec KA, Ames WA, et al. - Researchers investigated the effects of intravenous methadone, as the sole opioid in children having cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary, on perioperative pain control and overall perioperative use of opioid analgesics and sedatives. The patient population who had surgery prior to the institution of intraoperative methadone usage was compared with patients who had surgery in the months following. Significantly lower doses of intraoperative opioids were required in neonatal patients in the postintervention group. Postoperative opioid use was not statistically significantly different. Significantly less intraoperative opioids were required in the post‐intervention group in non‐neonatal patients. Postoperatively, significantly less opioids were required in the first 24 hours among those in the postintervention group. Findings suggest the utility of intraoperative methadone as a acceptable alternative to the use of fentanyl with potential other benefits both intra‐ and postoperatively of reduced total dose of opioids and other sedatives.