Secondary tonsillectomy haemorrhage and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Efficacy of pillar suture for post-tonsillectomy morbidity in children: a meta-analysis

Introduction

Several surgical techniques have been used during tonsillectomy to reduce complications.

Objectives

To assess the effects of pillar suture in conjunction with tonsillectomy as compared to tonsillectomy without suture in children.

Methods

Two authors independently searched five databases (PubMed, SCOPUS, Embase, the Web of Science, and the Cochrane database) for studies published as recent as December 2018. Of the included studies, we compared tonsillectomy and pillar suture in combination (suture groups) with tonsillectomy alone,without suture, (control group). Postoperative pain intensity and other morbidities (e.g., postoperative bleeding, palatal hematoma, discomfort, and pillar edema) were measured during the postoperative period.

Results

Postoperative bleeding [primary (OR = 0.47 [0.27; 0.81]) and secondary (OR = 0.14 [0.02; 0.78]) were significantly decreased in the pillar suture group compared to the control group. There were no significant differences between the two groups in postoperative pain at day 7 (SMD = −0.39 [−0.79; 0.00]), palatal hematoma (OR = 5.00 [0.22; 112.88]), palatal discomfort sensation (OR = 2.62 [0.60; 11.46]), site infection (OR = 5.27 [0.24; 113.35]), and velopharyngeal insufficiency (OR = 2.82 [0.11; 74.51]). By contrast, pillar edema (OR = 9.55 [4.29; 21.29]) was significantly increased in the pillar suture group compared to the control group.

Conclusions

Pillar suture combined with tonsillectomy may reduce postoperative bleeding incidence despite increasing pillar edema in pediatric tonsillectomy. Postoperative pain-relief, palatal hematoma, palatal discomfort sensation, site infection, and velopharyngeal insufficiency were not significantly altered compared to tonsillectomy alone. However, further studies are needed to corroborate the results of this study.

Effect of paracetamol/prednisolone versus paracetamol/ibuprofen on post-operative recovery after adult tonsillectomy

OBJECTIVE

To compare the effect of Paracetamol/Prednisolone versus Paracetamol/Ibuprofen on post-operative recovery after adult tonsillectomy.

BACKGROUND

Various analgesic protocols have been proposed for the control of post-tonsillectomy morbidity with need for better control in adult population for having higher severity of post-operative pain and risk of secondary post-tonsillectomy bleeding.

METHODS

This is a prospective cohort study conducted on 248 patients with age of 12 years or older distributed as two equal groups; the first one receiving Paracetamol/Prednisolone and the second one receiving Paracetamol/Ibuprofen. Both groups were compared at 7 days post-operative regarding pain at rest, tiredness of speech, dietary intake, and decrease in sleep duration. Both groups were compared regarding incidence of nausea and vomiting at 2 days post-operative. The incidence and severity of secondary post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage was compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

Pain at rest (no swallowing - no talking) was less in group I but not reaching statistical significance (p = 0.36). In addition, dietary intake was better in group I but not reaching statistical significance (P = 0.17). However, talking ability was better with statistically significant difference (P = 0.03) in group I. Impairment of sleep was less with group II but not reaching statistical significance (p = 0.31). The incidence of vomiting at second post-operative day was less in group I with statistical significance (p = 0.049). The incidence of secondary post-tonsillectomy bleeding was significantly higher in group II with statistical significance (p = 0.046). The severity of bleeding episodes was also significantly higher in group II (p = 0.045).

CONCLUSION

Both ibuprofen and prednisolone were effective as a part of post-operative medication regimen after adult tonsillectomy. However, prednisolone was superior to ibuprofen regarding improvement of pain at rest, dietary intake, tiredness of speech and post-operative nausea and vomiting. However, ibuprofen had a better impact on sleep. The incidence and severity of secondary post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage were significantly higher with ibuprofen favoring the selection of prednisolone to be combined with paracetamol in the post-operative medication protocol following tonsillectomy.

Celecoxib Versus Placebo in Tonsillectomy

Objectives:

Celecoxib is a cyclooxygenase-2-specific inhibitor indicated to treat acute pain and pain secondary to osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Surgical models of acute pain have demonstrated superior pain relief to placebo. The objective of this study was to test the safety and efficacy of celecoxib for pain relief after tonsillectomy compared to placebo.

Methods:

Adult subjects were randomized to 200 mg celecoxib versus placebo with a loading dose the night before surgery then twice daily for 10 days. Subjects were instructed to supplement the study drug with hydrocodone/acetaminophen liquid or acetaminophen for pain as needed. Subjects completed a daily diary regarding their pain, nausea, vomiting, diet, and activity.

Results:

Seventeen subjects enrolled. Intraoperative blood loss was similar between groups, and no subject had postoperative bleeding. Three patients returned to the emergency department for treatment, and 2 patients could not complete the diaries, all in the placebo group. Subjects in the placebo group required statistically significant ( P < .05) higher doses of narcotic and acetaminophen to control pain. Pain and diet rating scores were slightly better in the celecoxib group compared to placebo.

Conclusions:

In this small cohort, celecoxib reduced postoperative narcotic and acetaminophen requirements compared to placebo without complications.

Perioperative blood loss and gastrointestinal tolerability of etoricoxib and diclofenac in total hip arthroplasty (ETO-DIC study): a single-center, prospective double-blinded randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

Non-selective NSAIDs can cause serious gastrointestinal side-effects. Selective COX-2 blockers are a reasonable alternative for pain treatment. They do not seem to affect platelet function and consequently cause a lower perioperative blood loss than non-selective NSAIDs. This study compared etoricoxib and diclofenac during a perioperative (9 days) period after THA to investigate total blood loss and gastrointestinal tolerability. The hypothesis was that etoricoxib is superior to diclofenac.

METHODS

A total of 100 patients (50 in each group) were included in this trial. Etoricoxib (90 mg) was administered once and diclofenac sodium (75 mg) twice daily for 9 days. Total blood loss during and after primary cementless THA was detected. The rate of adverse events (AEs) and serious adverse events (SAEs) was analyzed to detect gastrointestinal tolerability.

RESULTS

The mean total blood loss (calculated) was 1548 ± SD 468 ml in the etoricoxib (ETO) group and 1649 (SD 547) ml in the diclofenac (DIC) group. The mean duration of THA was 81 min (SD 29) in the DIC and 75 min (SD 30) in the ETO group. Hence, the mean calculated total blood loss was 101 ml higher in the DIC group. This difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.334). Fifty-six patients (28 in each group) received a cell saver retransfusion, but only one patient (ETO group) needed an additional red blood cell transfusion. The hidden blood loss was 1067 ml (SD 603) in the DIC group and 999 ml (SD 378) in the ETO group. The gastrointestinal tolerability (number of adverse and serious adverse events) was not significantly different between groups.

CONCLUSION

There was no statistically significant difference in perioperative blood loss after primary THA under etoricoxib (90 mg) compared to diclofenac (75 mg). Furthermore, no gastrointestinal superiority of etoricoxib could be detected during a short period of 9 days.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and perioperative bleeding in paediatric tonsillectomy

BACKGROUND

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used for pain relief following tonsillectomy in children. However, as they inhibit platelet aggregation and prolong bleeding time they could cause increased perioperative bleeding. The overall risk remains unclear. This review was originally published in 2005 and was updated in 2010 and in 2012.

OBJECTIVES

The primary objective of this review was to assess the effects of NSAIDs on bleeding with paediatric tonsillectomy. Our secondary outcome was to establish whether NSAIDs affect the incidence of other postoperative complications when compared to other forms of analgesia.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library 2012, Issue 10); MEDLINE (inception until October 2012); EMBASE (inception until October 2012); Current Problems (produced by the UK Medicines Control Agency), MedWatch (produced by the US Food and Drug Administration) and the Australian Adverse Drug Reactions Bulletins (to May 2010). The original search was performed in August 2004. We also contacted manufacturers and researchers in the field.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included randomized controlled trials assessing NSAIDs in children, up to and including 16 years of age, undergoing elective tonsillectomy or adenotonsillectomy.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two authors independently assessed trial quality and extracted the data. We contacted study authors for additional information, where necessary.

MAIN RESULTS

We included 15 studies that involved 1101 children in this updated review. One study was added as a result of our 2012 search, another previously included study was removed due to lack of randomization. Fourteen included studies compared NSAIDs with other analgesics or placebo and reported on bleeding requiring surgical intervention. The use of NSAIDs was associated with a non-significant increase in the risk of bleeding requiring surgical intervention: Peto odds ratio (OR) 1.69 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.71 to 4.01). Ten studies involving 365 children reported perioperative bleeding requiring non-surgical intervention. NSAIDs did not significantly alter the number of perioperative bleeding events requiring non-surgical intervention: Peto OR 0.99 (95% CI 0.41 to 2.40) but the confidence intervals did not exclude an increased risk. Thirteen studies involving 1021 children reported postoperative vomiting. There was less vomiting when NSAIDs were used as part of the analgesic regime than when NSAIDs were not used: Mantel Haenszel (M-H) risk ratio (RR) 0.72 (95% CI 0.61 to 0.85).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

There is insufficient evidence to exclude an increased risk of bleeding when NSAIDs are used in paediatric tonsillectomy. They do however confer the benefit of a reduction in vomiting.

A Prospective Study of Parents’ Compliance with Their Child's Prescribed Analgesia following Tonsillectomy

We conducted a prospective study to assess how well parents ensured that their children received their prescribed analgesia following tonsillectomy. Our study was based on 69 cases of tonsillectomy that were carried out at our tertiary pediatric care center. Postoperatively, all patients were prescribed paracetamol (acetaminophen) on the basis of their weight; the standard pediatric dosage of this agent at the time of our study was 60 mg/kg/day. The parents were telephoned 2 weeks postoperatively to assess their compliance with this regimen. Of the original 69 patients who had been recruited, 66 completed the study—35 girls and 31 boys, aged 2 to 15 years (mean: 7.0; median 5.5). According to the parents, only 15 children (22.7%) received our recommended 60-mg/kg/day dosage and were thus determined to be fully compliant. Overall, parents reported a wide variation in the amount of drug administered, ranging from 12.5 to 111.0 mg/kg/ day (mean: 44.8), indicating that parents often underdose their children. We recommend that more emphasis be placed on weight-directed, parent-provided analgesia during the post-tonsillectomy period.

Topical bupivacaine compared to lidocaine with epinephrine for post-tonsillectomy pain relief in children: a randomized controlled study

OBJECTIVE

To compare the topical administration of bupivacaine hydrochloride, lidocaine hydrochloride with epinephrine and saline in alleviating post tonsillectomy pain.

STUDY DESIGN

A double-blind prospective randomized controlled clinical study.

METHODS

Between November 2008 and March 2009, 60 patients (32 males and 28 females) between ages of 1.5 and 15 years were recruited into the study. After informed consent was obtained from the parents, patients, admitted for tonsillectomy, were randomized into three groups using sealed envelops. Group 1 (20 patients, mean age 5.2±1.7) received topical lidocaine hydrochloride (20 mg/ml) with 0.00125% epinephrine. Group 2 (20 patients, mean age 6±3.7) received topical 0.5% bupivacaine hydrochloride and group 3 (20 patients, mean age 6.7±3.6) received topical saline.

RESULTS

The post-operative pain scores at 1h were similar among the groups (p=0.29). Pain scores in bupivacaine hydrochloride group were significantly lesser than the saline group at 5th, 13th, 17th and 21st hours, until the sixth day (p<0.017). Moreover, pain scores of bupivacaine hydrochloride group were superior to lidocaine hydrochloride group starting at 17 h, until fourth day (p<0.017). Pain scores of lidocaine hydrochloride group were lesser than saline group in the first and fifth days (p<0.017), whereas, there was no significant difference at other times.

CONCLUSION

Topical administration of bupivacaine hydrochloride proved to provide more efficient pain control than both saline and lidocaine without any drug related complication.

Life-threatening posttonsillectomy hemorrhage

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS

In rare cases, the intensity of posttonsillectomy hemorrhage (PTH) may become life-threatening requiring major surgical means and intensive care. This study was conducted to assess the outcome of life-threatening PTH and its clinical features in a larger patient population.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Cases occurring during the clinical career of the authors were collected and added by own expert reports to lawsuits and professional boards in cases who had undergone tonsillectomy elsewhere. PTH resulting in hemorrhagic shock requiring resuscitation, ligature of greater arteries in the neck, tracheotomy, packing of the pharynx, embolization, and/or blood transfusions were labeled as life threatening.

RESULTS

Seventy-nine patients had experienced life-threatening PTH between 1980 and 2006, comprising 36 children and 39 adults (age not stated for 4 patients). There were 42 female and 34 male patients (gender not stated for 3 patients). Only nine patients experienced primary bleeding, secondary PTH clearly prevailed (n = 70; 89.6%) in this patient population. Single episodes of life-threatening PTH were reported for 11 cases including two patients with and nine without remaining neurological sequelae. Three of the 11 patients were children (age not stated for 2 patients). Repeated episodes of life-threatening PTH occurred in 68 patients (32 children) including eight with remaining sequelae.

CONCLUSIONS

Life-threatening PTH is an apparently rare, most commonly unpredictable state of emergency requiring a clear management protocol. However, repeated episodes of bleeding classified most clinical courses and should alert the medical staff. Although the bleeding rate after tonsillectomy in children is generally acknowledged to be very low, the rate of life-threatening PTH is apparently higher than in adults. Gender seems not to be a risk factor. Secondary PTH can no longer be assessed to be less dangerous than primary PTH.

Sequential clot strength analyses following diclofenac in pediatric adenotonsillectomy

BACKGROUND

Tonsillectomy is a common pediatric surgical procedure resulting in significant postoperative pain. There is ongoing controversy as to the most satisfactory analgesic regimen. Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are an alternative to opioids in this setting. NSAID use in tonsillectomy has been shown to be opioid sparing in the recovery period and to have similar analgesic effects to opioids in pediatric patients. Because of their nonspecific action on the enzyme cyclo-oxygenase there is potential for increased bleeding which has led many practitioners to avoid NSAIDs completely in this patient population potentially resulting in suboptimal pain control. Our aim in this study was to assess the effect of preoperatively administered diclofenac on the blood clot strength in children undergoing (adeno-) tonsillectomy.

METHODS

Twenty patients undergoing (adeno-) tonsillectomy were recruited into this prospective observational study. All patients received 2 mg.kg(-1) of diclofenac rectally immediately preoperatively. Blood was taken for thromboelastograph analysis pre-diclofenac and 1 and 4 h post-diclofenac administration.

RESULTS

There was a statistically significant increase in maximal clot strength (MA) at 1 and 4 h after diclofenac. Similarly there was a statistically significant reduction in time to initial fibrin formation (R time) post-diclofenac. There was no primary or secondary hemorrhage.

CONCLUSIONS

Diclofenac when given preoperatively does not adversely affect clot strength in the immediate postoperative period when the risk of primary hemorrhage is greatest.

Intravenous paracetamol is highly effective in pain treatment after tonsillectomy in adults

Tonsillectomy in adults is associated with significant postoperative pain. Intravenous paracetamol injection (Perfalgan) is marketed for the management of acute pain. This prospective placebo-controlled study was performed to evaluate the analgesic efficacy and safety of intravenous paracetamol in 76 adult patients undergoing elective standard bipolar diathermy tonsillectomy. After tonsillectomy was performed under general anesthesia, the patients were randomized to receive either intravenous paracetamol 1 g (Perfalgan) (n = 38) or 0.9% normal saline as a placebo (n = 38) at 6-h intervals. No other analgesic medication was permitted for postoperative pain during the study. Need for rescue analgesic during the first 24 h after surgery as well as all adverse events were recorded. The intravenous paracetamol group differed significantly from the placebo group regarding pain relief and median time to pethidine rescue. Intravenous paracetamol significantly reduced pethidine consumption over the 24-h period. The worst pain after surgery was also more severe in the placebo group than that in the paracetamol group. There was no significant difference between groups in the incidence of adverse events. Intravenous paracetamol administered regularly in adult patients with moderate to severe pain after tonsillectomy provided rapid and effective analgesia and was well tolerated.

Acetaminophen is Highly Effective in Pain Treatment After Endoscopic Sinus Surgery

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS

Endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) is increasingly performed by otorhinolaryngologists. However, the early recovery and pain management after ESS is still largely unexplored. In the present study, we have evaluated the incidence and severity of pain and the efficacy and safety of acetaminophen (paracetamol) for pain management in patients undergoing ESS.

STUDY DESIGN

The authors conducted a prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

METHODS

Seventy-four patients with ESS were randomized to receive either 1 g intravenous acetaminophen (Perfalgan) (n = 36) or 0.9% normal saline as a placebo (n = 38) after ESS was performed under local anesthesia. No other analgesic medication was permitted during the study. Need for rescue analgesic during the first 4 hours after surgery as well as all adverse events were recorded.

RESULTS

Most patients, 27 of 38 (71%), in the placebo group needed rescue analgesics but significantly fewer patients in the acetaminophen group required rescue analgesia, i.e., only nine of 36 (25%) patients needed oxycodone. The worst pain after surgery was also more severe in the placebo group than that in the acetaminophen group. There was no significant difference between groups in the incidence of adverse events. The most common adverse events were vomiting, nausea, and headache.

CONCLUSIONS

ESS is associated with significant postoperative pain. Acetaminophen provides adequate pain relief in most patients who have undergone ESS. However, the analgesic efficacy of acetaminophen alone is insufficient in some patients, and hence all patients with ESS must be followed closely to identify those patients in need of more efficient analgesia during the early phase of recovery.

Can mucosal sealing reduce tonsillectomy pain?

OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESIS

The hypothesis tests whether sealing the tonsillectomy field with posterior pillar mucosa can prevent unwanted outcomes in pediatric tonsillectomy.

STUDY DESIGN

A prospective, randomized, single blinded study was conducted on a sample of 39 children between 3 and 15 years of age. After dissection and snare tonsillectomy, the tonsillar fossa was covered on one side using the palatopharyngus mucosa and the other side is used as control. Pain scores, healing, edema and infection at the operation site were investigated.

METHODS

The tonsillectomy sites were randomly assigned into one of two groups. First group contained the ones with mucosal flap sealed over the operation site and the second group was kept as control with the operation site left uncovered. All of the patients received mild analgesics. The pain assessment is done on Days 1, 3, 5, 7 and 10 postoperatively, by using Wong-Baker faces visual analog scale. On the 10th postoperative day, the operation field of each side is scored separately for edema, healing and infection. Statistical investigation was performed through a software program.

RESULTS

On first postoperative day, pain level difference was not statistically significant between the two groups (p>0.01). But from 3rd to 10th postoperative day, the pain level was found out to be lower in the mucosa sealed site (p<0.01). On the 10th postoperative day, while the edema was significantly more (p<0.01), healing was better (p<0.01) at the sutured site. Postoperative infection at operation site was not different between the groups (p>0.01).

CONCLUSION

Covering tonsillectomy field with mucosal palatopharyngeal arch flap significantly reduces pain after third postoperative day. The flap side had better healing when compared to denuded site. But the sutures in the mucosal flap may cause more tissue edema. Sutures have no significant effect on postoperative infection. Thus, mucosal flap may be used as an adjuvant surgical technique to decrease tonsillectomy pain of children in addition to the analgesic medication.

A randomized, placebo-controlled study of rofecoxib with paracetamol in early post-tonsillectomy pain in adults

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Effective and early treatment of postoperative pain and nausea have become pivotal for the early discharge of patients after tonsillectomy. Opioid-based analgesia is standard practice but the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is discouraged due to their platelet inhibiting properties. The cyclo-oxygenase-2 selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are effective analgesics and do not affect platelet function. We hypothesized that premedication with cyclo-oxygenase-2 selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug in addition to paracetamol would provide effective analgesia and decrease opioid consumption during early recovery from tonsillectomy.

METHODS

In a randomized, placebo-controlled study of adult tonsillectomy patients (n=40) one group (R-group; n=20) was premedicated with paracetamol 1.5 g and rofecoxib 50 mg and a control group (P-group; n=20) was premedicated with paracetamol 1.5 g and placebo. Morphine was used as rescue medication. Postoperative (24 h) pain scores (0--10), morphine consumption as well as intraoperative blood loss were recorded.

RESULTS

We found no overall difference in pain scores between the groups but significantly more patients in the placebo group had pain scores >5 within the first 8 h. The rofecoxib group consumed less morphine during the first 12 h. A lower intraoperative blood loss was observed in the rofecoxib group.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest an early although clinically minor analgesic benefit of the addition of a cyclo-oxygenase-2 selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug to paracetamol as premedication for adult tonsillectomy.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and perioperative bleeding in paediatric tonsillectomy

BACKGROUND

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used for pain relief following tonsillectomy in children. However, as they inhibit platelet aggregation and prolong bleeding time, they could cause increased perioperative bleeding. The overall risk remains unclear.

OBJECTIVES

The primary objective of this review was to assess the effects of NSAIDs on bleeding for paediatric tonsillectomy. There is good evidence (Kokki 2003; Romsing 1997) to show that NSAIDs are effective analgesics in children. It was not the remit of our review to question this, but rather to assess the risk of bleeding when NSAIDs are used for pain relief following paediatric tonsillectomy.

SEARCH STRATEGY

We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library, Issue 3, 2004); MEDLINE (inception until August 2004); EMBASE (from inception until August 2004), Current Problems (produced by the UK Medicines Control Agency); MedWatch (produced by the US Food and Drug Administration) and the Australian Adverse Drug Reactions Bulletin in December 2001. The Cochrane Anaesthesia Review Group's handsearch co-ordinator performed handsearching as required. We also contacted manufacturers and researchers in the field.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included randomized controlled trials assessing NSAIDs in children up to and including 16 years of age, undergoing elective tonsillectomy or adenotonsillectomy.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two authors independently assessed trial quality and extracted the data. We contacted study authors where necessary for additional information. We also collected information on adverse effects from the trials.

MAIN RESULTS

We included 13 trials involving 955 children. All included trials compared NSAIDs with other analgesics or placebo and looked at bleeding requiring surgical intervention. NSAIDs did not significantly alter number of perioperative bleeding events requiring surgical intervention; Peto odds ratio 1.46 (95% confidence interval 0.49 to 4.40). Seven trials involving 471 children looked at bleeding not requiring surgical intervention. NSAIDs did not significantly alter number of perioperative bleeding events not requiring surgical intervention; Peto odds ratio 1.23 (95% confidence interval 0.44 to 3.43). Ten trials involving 837 children looked at post-operative nausea and vomiting. There was less nausea and vomiting when NSAIDs were used as part of the analgesic regime, compared to when NSAIDs were not used; Odds ratio 0.40 (95% confidence interval 0.23 to 0.72).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

NSAIDs did not cause any increase in bleeding requiring a return to theatre. There was significantly less nausea and vomiting when NSAIDs were used compared to alternative analgesics.

Day-case adenotonsillectomy: suitable in the tropics?

This study evaluates the outcome of offering day-case adenotonsillectomy in a hospital in the tropics. Seventy-seven patients with adenotonsillitis requiring surgery were admitted, operated upon and discharged within 12 h and were also evaluated for complications. There were no complications severe enough to warrant readmission. Day-case adenotonsillectomy is safe and acceptable in a developing country.

Day-case tonsillectomy in children: parental attitudes and consultation rates

OBJECTIVE

In Europe, the day-case tonsillectomy rate in children is slowly increasing, but whether parents really want this rapid discharge of their child is questionable. The fear is that aftercare might fall solely on community care. The aim of this prospective study was to introduce pediatric day-case tonsillectomy to our hospital and to determine parents' attitudes to this procedure. The other interest centered on consultation rates within the 2-week recovery period.

METHODS

One hundred children aged 3-16 years had day-case tonsillectomy (38) or adenotonsillectomy (62). Peri-operative and post-operative complications were recorded. Parents were phoned the next day and 1-4 months after the operation. Parents' opinions of day-case surgery and consultations with healthcare professionals during the 2-week recovery period were recorded.

RESULTS

Ninety children went home the day of the operation. Vomiting was the most frequent complication. No primary hemorrhages occurred. Called the next day, 100% of parents felt that their children were better served spending their first night at home as compared with staying in hospital. Called 1-4 months later, 94.5% of parents still thought this way. In the 2-week recovery period following the tonsillectomy, 13% of patients visited a physician and 17% called for information. These numbers include patients with secondary hemorrhage. If these are excluded, 5% of patients visited a physician and 13% called for advice. Children were taken back to hospital only due to secondary hemorrhage.

CONCLUSIONS

Most parents considered day-case tonsillectomy to be suitable for their family. Consultation rates were low. Careful patient selection and adequate pre-operative information are prerequisites for day-case tonsillectomy.

An evaluation of the safety and efficacy of administering rofecoxib for postoperative pain management

The goal of our study was to evaluate the analgesic efficacy and safety of administering rofecoxib (1 mg/kg), a cyclo-oxygenase (COX)-2 selective nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug, before pediatric tonsillectomy. Sixty-six patients, aged 3-11 yr, scheduled to undergo tonsillectomy received either placebo or rofecoxib (1 mg/kg). There were no significant differences between the two study groups with respect to demographics and blood loss. We found that the pain scores were significantly lower in the rofecoxib group compared with the control group at 2 h (P < 0.05) and 24 h (P < 0.006). The incidence of nausea (P < 0.03) and vomiting (P < 0.004) at home was more frequent in the control group than in the rofecoxib group. We conclude that a single preoperative dose of rofecoxib resulted in less vomiting and lower 24-h pain scores in pediatric patients undergoing an elective tonsillectomy.

IMPLICATIONS

In children undergoing tonsillectomy, a single preoperative dose of rofecoxib decreases 2- and 24-h pain and decreases nausea and vomiting at home.

Pain intensity after laseruvulopalatoplasty and tonsillectomy

OBJECTIVE

The first objective of this study was to evaluate pain intensity and opioid consumption during the first 24 hours after uvulopalatoplasty and tonsillectomy in the hospital, and the second was to evaluate pain intensity and its progression during the first 2 weeks after surgery at home.

STUDY DESIGN AND SETTINGS

In a prospective parallel group study, 51 patients with uvulopalatoplasty or tonsillectomy were studied. Ketoprofen, a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug, and fentanyl citrate, an opioid, were used as analgesics.

RESULTS

Despite ketoprofen infusion and free access to a patient-controlled pump with fentanyl citrate for rescue analgesia, inadequate pain relief was common both after uvulopalatoplasty (35%) and after tonsillectomy (28%) during the first 24 hours after surgery. The consumption of fentanyl citrate was similar after both operations. At home, pain intensity was highest in the mornings during the first 5 days, and 10 patients had some pain still after 2 weeks. Also at home, high pain scores were reported commonly in both groups.

CONCLUSION

Significant pain after uvulopalatoplasty and tonsillectomy lasted for several days. Ketoprofen in the commercial capsule form proved to be too short acting for overnight pain relief.

SIGNIFICANCE

Pain treatment in patients with uvulopalatoplasty and tonsillectomy should be improved to allow patients a peaceful recovery after surgery.

Comparison of Bipolar Scissors and Bipolar Forceps in Tonsillectomy

Bipolar diathermy scissors tonsillectomy is a relatively new surgical technique. We conducted a prospective study of 90 patients to compare this technique with bipolar forceps tonsillectomy. We found that the use of the bipolar scissors required significantly less operating time (mean: 3.03 min less) and allowed patients to resume eating solid food more rapidly (mean: 40.35 min earlier). Bipolar scissors tonsillectomy was safe, and there were no intraoperative complications or primary hemorrhages. A postoperative follow-up telephone survey revealed that patients who underwent scissors tonsillectomy experienced no more morbidity than did the forceps group during the first 2 weeks after surgery. We conclude that bipolar scissors tonsillectomy is a safe and rapid technique that can be used successfully as an outpatient procedure.

Recovery after tonsillectomy in adults: a three-week follow-up study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate recovery after tonsillectomy and safety and efficacy of ketoprofen in pain treatment after discharge.

STUDY DESIGN

A prospective, longitudinal study of 102 patients undergoing tonsillectomy.

METHODS

All patients underwent tonsillectomy (or adenotonsillectomy) under general anesthesia. In the hospital, 77 patients received a bolus of 0.5 mg/kg ketoprofen intravenously, followed by a 3-mg/kg continuous infusion over 24 hours, and oxycodone for rescue analgesia. Twenty-five patients received normal saline and oxycodone. At discharge, all patients were prescribed ketoprofen capsules at a dose of 3 to 5 mg/kg per day for postoperative pain control at home, with paracetamol-codeine tablets for rescue analgesia. At home, the patients recorded pain and analgesic consumption each day for the first week after surgery. At 3 weeks, patients recorded the total analgesic requirement, duration of pain, all adverse events during recovery, and return to normal daily activities.

RESULTS

No pre-emptive effect of ketoprofen was noticed because there was no significant difference in recovery after discharge between patients who had received ketoprofen or placebo during the first 24 hours after surgery. In the whole study group, the median of pain cessation was 11 days (range, 3-24 days) and the median of analgesic treatment was 12 days (range, 5-25 days). More than 50% of the patients needed 1 to 3 rescue analgesic doses daily during the first week after tonsillectomy. A return back to normal daily activities took place after 12 days (range, 2-24 days). Nine patients needed electrocautery to stop postoperative bleeding. No other serious adverse events occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

The main problem after tonsillectomy is significant pain that can last 11 to 12 days after surgery. Ketoprofen combined with paracetamol-codeine provided sufficient analgesia for most patients at home, but because ketoprofen may cause an increase in the secondary hemorrhage rate, it should be prescribed with caution.

Improved postoperative pain control in pediatric adenotonsillectomy with dextromethorphan

DESIGN

A prospective, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled protocol.

SETTING

An academic, tertiary care referral center.

PATIENTS

Forty randomly selected children, ages 3 to 13 years, scheduled for adenotonsillectomy without other simultaneous procedures.

INTERVENTION

A single, oral dose of dextromethorphan pediatric cough syrup (1 mg/kg) or placebo given 30 minutes before surgery.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Total dose requirement of intravenous morphine within a 6-hour postoperative observation period.

RESULTS

During routine postoperative observation, significantly fewer patients in the dextromethorphan group required no intravenous morphine compared with the placebo group (P =.03). Of those children requiring morphine, the mean dose requirement was significantly lower in the dextromethorphan group (P =.02). There was no known drug-related morbidity.

CONCLUSION

Dextromethorphan syrup is a safe, non-narcotic medication that significantly reduced the requirement of intravenous morphine after pediatric adenotonsillectomy. Its routine use in this manner is recommended.

I.v. ketoprofen for analgesia after tonsillectomy: comparison of pre- and post-operative administration

We have evaluated the safety and efficacy of ketoprofen during tonsillectomy in 106 adults receiving standardized anaesthesia. Forty-one patients received ketoprofen 0.5 mg kg(-1) at induction ('pre' ketoprofen group) and 40 patients after surgery ('post' ketoprofen group), in both cases followed by a continuous ketoprofen infusion of 3 mg kg(-1) over 24 h; 25 patients received normal saline (placebo group). Oxycodone was used for rescue analgesia. Patients in the ketoprofen groups experienced less pain than those in the placebo group. There was no difference between the study groups in the proportion of patients who were given oxycodone during the first 4 h after surgery. However, during the next 20 h, significantly more patients in the placebo group (96%) received oxycodone compared with patients in the 'pre' ketoprofen group (66%) and the 'post' ketoprofen group (55%) (P=0.002). Patients in the placebo group received significantly more oxycodone doses than patients in the two ketoprofen groups (P=0.001). Two patients (5%) in the 'pre' ketoprofen group and one (3%) in the 'post' ketoprofen group had post-operative bleeding between 4 and 14 h. All three patients required electrocautery.

Preoperative rectal diclofenac versus paracetamol for tonsillectomy: effects on pain and blood loss

BACKGROUND

Diclofenac is widely used for postoperative analgesia but the perioperative safety of this drug is controversial because of its effect on platelet aggregation, which might increase blood loss. In a prospective investigator-blinded study the effects of diclofenac and paracetamol on pain and blood loss were compared in patients undergoing tonsillectomy.

METHOD

Ninety patients were randomised to receive rectal diclofenac 0.65-1.0 mg x kg(-1) or paracetamol 13-20 mg x kg(-1) preoperatively. Ten patients were excluded after randomisation. Pain was evaluated postoperatively by means of the visual analogue scale and by recording the use of pethidine for rescue analgesia. Perioperative blood loss was estimated from measured intraoperative blood loss; use of drugs to achieve haemostasis, and the incidence of reoperations.

RESULTS

Anaesthetic or surgical managements did not differ between the groups, but a significantly longer period of surgery was found in the diclofenac group, 32+/-16 vs. 25+/-11 min (P = 0.024). Pain scores or pethidine consumption were not significantly different between the groups. Intraoperative blood loss was significantly larger in the diclofenac group, 1.9 (1.1-3.1) vs. 1.1 (0.7-2.0) ml x kg(-1) (P = 0.007).

CONCLUSION

Preoperative rectal diclofenac offers no advantage over paracetamol with respect to postoperative analgesia in tonsillectomy patients but increases intraoperative blood loss.