1
|
Einhorn LM, Hoang J, La JO, Kharasch ED. Single-dose Intraoperative Methadone for Pain Management in Pediatric Tonsillectomy: A Randomized Double-blind Clinical Trial. Anesthesiology 2024; 141:463-474. [PMID: 38669011 PMCID: PMC11321919 DOI: 10.1097/aln.0000000000005031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND More than 500,000 elective tonsillectomies are performed in U.S. children annually. Pain after pediatric tonsillectomy is common, often severe, and undertreated. There is no consensus on the optimal management of perioperative tonsillectomy pain. Methadone, with an elimination half-life of 1 to 2 days, has a longer duration of effect than short-duration opioids such as fentanyl. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the intraoperative use of methadone for pediatric tonsillectomy. It tested the hypothesis that methadone would result in less postoperative opioid use compared with short-duration opioids in children after tonsillectomy. METHODS This double-blind, randomized, parallel group trial in children (3 to 17 yr) undergoing tonsillectomy compared single-dose intravenous methadone (0.1 mg/kg then 0.15 mg/kg age-ideal body weight, in a dose escalation paradigm) versus as-needed short-duration opioid (fentanyl) controls. Opioid use, pain, and side effects were assessed in-hospital and 7 days postoperatively via electronic surveys. The primary outcome was total 7-day opioid use in oral morphine equivalents per kilogram (kg). Secondary outcomes were opioid use in the postanesthesia care unit, daily pain scores, and total number of 7-day opioid doses used. RESULTS Data analysis included 60 children (20/group), age 5.9 ± 3.7 yr (mean ± SD; median, 4; range, 3 to 17). Total 7-day opioid use (oral morphine equivalents per kg median [interquartile range]) was 1.5 [1.2, 2.1] in controls, 0.9 [0.1, 1.4] after methadone 0.1 mg/kg (P = 0.045), and 0.5 [0, 1.4] after methadone 0.15 mg/kg (P = 0.023). Postanesthesia care unit opioid use (oral morphine equivalents per kg) in controls was 0.15 [0.1, 0.3], 0.04 [0, 0.1] after methadone 0.1 mg/kg (P = 0.061). and 0.0 [0, 0.1] after methadone 0.15 mg/kg (P = 0.021). Postoperative pain scores were not different between groups. No serious opioid-related adverse events occurred. CONCLUSIONS This small initial study in children undergoing tonsillectomy found that single-dose intraoperative methadone at 0.15 mg/kg age ideal body weight was opioid-sparing compared with intermittent fentanyl. EDITOR’S PERSPECTIVE
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lisa M Einhorn
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pediatric Division, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Julia Hoang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Jong Ok La
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Evan D Kharasch
- Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Albornoz AE, Rana M, Hayes J, Englesakis M, Tsang M, Amin R, Gilfoyle E, Petre MA, Campisi P, Aoyama K. Perioperative clinical practice recommendations for pediatric tonsillectomy: a systematic review. Can J Anaesth 2024; 71:187-200. [PMID: 38182827 DOI: 10.1007/s12630-023-02668-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Tonsillectomy is one of the most common surgical procedures performed in children. Since most clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) are designed to support surgical decisions, none are specifically designed for the perioperative management of children undergoing tonsillectomy. We aimed to identify and analyze the existing CPGs with recommendations for the perioperative management of children undergoing tonsillectomy by conducting a systematic review. SOURCE We searched Embase, MEDLINE, MEDLINE ePub Ahead of Print, and CINAHL for relevant articles published from inception to 3 August 2022. The inclusion criteria were: 1) CPG of perioperative recommendations for tonsillectomy under general anesthesia in children, 2) CPG that include at least one evidence-based recommendation, 3) peer-reviewed CPG published in English after 2000. We extracted data on baseline characteristics of each CPG and general recommendations for perioperative interventions or complications. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Out of five eligible CPGs, AGREE II and REX confirmed that two CPGs were high quality while only one of the two was recommended for implementation without modifications. Most of the recommendations were for pain management. Acetaminophen was the only medication recommended in all five CPG. Except for the oldest CPG, the CPG all supported of the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and steroids as a pain adjunct. CONCLUSIONS Acetaminophen, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and steroids are recommended in the perioperative management of pediatric tonsillectomy. Future CPG should further clarify the safe use of opioids based on severity of obstructive sleep apnea and in the context of opioid-sparing techniques, such as dexmedetomidine, high-dose dexamethasone, and gabapentinoids. STUDY REGISTRATION PROSPERO (CRD42021253374); first submitted 18 June 2021.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alfonso E Albornoz
- Department of Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Jason Hayes
- Department of Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Marina Englesakis
- Library and Information Services, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Maisie Tsang
- Department of Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Reshma Amin
- Division of Respiratory Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Child Health Evaluative Sciences, SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Elaine Gilfoyle
- Child Health Evaluative Sciences, SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Paolo Campisi
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Kazuyoshi Aoyama
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Child Health Evaluative Sciences, SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Department of Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Ave, #2211, Toronto, ON, M5G 1X8, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|