Post-operative nausea and vomiting following paediatric day-case tonsillectomy: audit of the Epsom protocol

Postoperative recovery in preschool-aged children: A secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial comparing premedication with midazolam, clonidine, and dexmedetomidine

BACKGROUND

Preoperative anxiety in pediatric patients can worsen postoperative outcomes and delay discharge. Drugs aimed at reducing preoperative anxiety and facilitating postoperative recovery are available; however, their effects on postoperative recovery from propofol-remifentanil anesthesia have not been studied in preschool-aged children. Thus, we aimed to investigate the effects of three sedative premedications on postoperative recovery from total intravenous anesthesia in children aged 2-6 years.

METHODS

In this prespecified secondary analysis of a double-blinded randomized trial, 90 children scheduled for ear, nose, and throat surgery were randomized (1:1:1) to receive sedative premedication: oral midazolam 0.5 mg/kg, oral clonidine 4 μg/kg, or intranasal dexmedetomidine 2 μg/kg. Using validated instruments, outcome measures including time for readiness to discharge from the postoperative care unit, postoperative sedation, emergence delirium, anxiety, pain, and nausea/vomiting were measured.

RESULTS

After excluding eight children due to drug refusal or deviation from the protocol, 82 children were included in this study. No differences were found between the groups in terms of median time [interquartile range] to readiness for discharge (midazolam, 90 min [48]; clonidine, 80 min [46]; dexmedetomidine 100.5 min [42]). Compared to the midazolam group, logistic regression with a mixed model and repeated measures approach found no differences in sedation, less emergence delirium, and less pain in the dexmedetomidine group, and less anxiety in both clonidine and dexmedetomidine groups.

CONCLUSIONS

No statistical difference was observed in the postoperative recovery times between the premedication regimens. Compared with midazolam, dexmedetomidine was favorable in reducing both emergence delirium and pain in the postoperative care unit, and both clonidine and dexmedetomidine reduced anxiety in the postoperative care unit. Our results indicated that premedication with α2 -agonists had a better recovery profile than short-acting benzodiazepines; although the overall recovery time in the postoperative care unit was not affected.

Evaluating obesity as a risk factor for complications after pediatric adenotonsillectomy

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate associations between childhood obesity and post-adenotonsillectomy complications, informing guidelines for postoperative management.

METHODS

The retrospective review assessed outpatient pediatric tonsillectomy/adenoidectomy cases performed at 2 ambulatory surgery centers in 2020. Complications in the recovery unit and within 2 weeks of surgical discharge were reviewed along with clinical and demographic variables. Obesity was defined as sex-specific body mass index-for-age, or weight-for-age if height data were unavailable, at/above the 95th percentile. The 99th percentile served as the threshold for severe obesity. Analyses used Chi-square/Fisher's exact tests and independent-samples t-tests with relative risk or effect sizes.

RESULTS

The review included 707 cases (180 patients with obesity). Overall incidence of complications in the recovery unit was 9.1%. Patients with obesity were significantly more likely to require supplemental blow-by oxygen (P = .02); relative risk was 1.65 (95% CI: 1.16-2.35) times greater in the cohort with obesity. Obesity had a small effect on postoperative oxygen saturation nadirs, which were significantly lower among patients with obesity (d = -0.34; P < .001). No differences emerged between cohorts with and without obesity in the incidence of any other complications before or after surgical discharge. Overall incidence of post-discharge returns was 7.9%. Incidence of complications did not vary by obesity severity.

CONCLUSION

From this cohort, childhood obesity without other significant comorbidities may not warrant routine inpatient care following adenotonsillectomy. Patients with obesity should receive additional monitoring for oxygen desaturation events during the first hours of recovery. Further prospective studies should continue to address this important topic.

The efficacy of Tranexamic Acid Administration in Patients Undergoing Tonsillectomy: An Updated Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE

There is controversy regarding the efficacy and safety of tranexamic acid (TXA) in reducing tonsillectomy-related hemorrhage. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the prophylactic role of TXA in tonsillectomy.

METHODS

We searched 6 databases to identify studies that directly compare the effect of TXA versus controls in tonsillectomy patients. Standardized mean difference was applied to summate the findings across the studies. Dichotomous data were expressed as relative risk.

RESULTS

Ten studies representing a total of 111 898 patients were included. The pooled results showed a significant reduction of intraoperative blood loss by 39.02 ml (SMD = -1.05, 95% CI: -1.91 to -0.20, P = .016) and the rate of post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage (RR = 0.42, 95% CI: 0.28 to 0.65, P < .0001), with no significant difference in reduction of further intervention risk (RR = 0.78, 95% CI: 0.45 to 1.35, P = .373).

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, this study indicates that TXA may reduce blood loss and frequency of post-operative hemorrhage associated with tonsillectomy. Further large, high-quality clinical trials are still needed to explore TXA's effect on post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage and the safety of its use.

Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting in Pediatric Patients

Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), postoperative vomiting (POV), post-discharge nausea and vomiting (PDNV), and opioid-induced nausea and vomiting (OINV) continue to be causes of pediatric morbidity, delay in discharge, and unplanned hospital admission. Research on the pathophysiology, risk assessment, and therapy for PDNV, OINV and pain therapy options in children has received increased attention. Multimodal pain management with the use of perioperative regional and opioid-sparing analgesia has helped decrease nausea and vomiting. Two common emetogenic surgical procedures in children are adenotonsillectomy and strabismus repair. Although PONV risk factors differ between adults and children, the approach to decrease baseline risk is similar. As PONV and POV are frequent in children, antiemetic prophylaxis should be considered for those at risk. A multimodal approach for antiemetic and pain therapy involves preoperative risk evaluation and stratification, antiemetic prophylaxis, and pain management with opioid-sparing medications and regional anesthesia. Useful antiemetics include dexamethasone and serotonin 5-hydroxytryptamine-3 (5-HT3) receptor antagonists such as ondansetron. Multimodal combination prophylactic therapy using two or three antiemetics from different drug classes and propofol total intravenous anesthesia should be considered for children at high PONV risk. "Enhanced recovery after surgery" protocols include a multimodal approach with preoperative preparation, adequate intravenous fluid hydration, opioid-sparing analgesia, and prophylactic antiemetics. PONV guidelines and management algorithms help provide effective postoperative care for pediatric patients.

The effect of acupuncture on postoperative nausea and vomiting after pediatric tonsillectomy: A meta-analysis and systematic review

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS

Tonsillectomy is one of the most frequently performed pediatric surgical procedures worldwide. The complications of this procedure include postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) and pain; therefore, both the treatment and prevention of PONV are important. Classical antiemetics include drug therapies such as ondansetron, which are undesirable because they often carry a high cost and several side effects. Therefore, in this study we aimed to evaluate the antiemetic effect of acupuncture after pediatric tonsillectomy.

METHODS

We searched for eligible articles that reported on the antiemetic effects of acupuncture after tonsillectomy using the three databases, MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane, through July 2015. We included full-length original articles with adequate data for evaluating the antiemetic effects on pediatric tonsillectomy in the form of a relative ratio. The Newcastle-Ottawa scale was used to assess the quality of case control and cohort studies, and the Cochrane risk of bias tool was employed for randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

RESULTS

The search identified 415 publications. After screening, we selected eight articles for review (4 RCTs, 3 prospective cohorts, and 1 pilot study). A meta-analysis of acupuncture in pediatric tonsillectomy revealed that the number of patients with PONV was significantly reduced with acupuncture compared to the control group, with a risk ratio of 0.77 (95% confidence interval: 0.63-0.94, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

When acupuncture at PC6 (neiguan) was used to prevent PONV after pediatric tonsillectomy, the risk ratio was significantly lower compared to that of conventional drug therapy. Although further randomized controlled trials are needed, acupuncture at PC6 is considered an economic and effective treatment for emesis after pediatric tonsillectomy. Laryngoscope, 126:1761-1767, 2016.

Complications of adenotonsillectomy for obstructive sleep apnea in school-aged children

INTRODUCTION

Adenotonsillectomy is the treatment of choice for most children with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, but can lead to complications. Current guidelines recommend that high-risk children be hospitalized after adenotonsillectomy, but it is unclear which otherwise-healthy children will develop post-operative complications. We hypothesized that polysomnographic parameters would predict post-operative complications in children who participated in the Childhood AdenoTonsillectomy (CHAT) study.

METHODS

Children in the CHAT study aged 5-9 years with apnea hypopnea index 2-30/h or obstructive apnea index 1-20/h without comorbidities other than obesity/asthma underwent adenotonsillectomy. Associations between demographic variables and surgical complications were examined with Chi square and Fisher's exact tests. Polysomnographic parameters between subjects with/without complications were compared using Mann-Whitney tests.

RESULTS

Of the 221 children (median apnea hypopnea index 4.7/h, range 1.2-27.7/h; 31% obese), 16 (7%) children experienced complications. 3 (1.4%) children had respiratory complications including pulmonary edema, hypoxemia and bronchospasm. Thirteen (5.9%) had non-respiratory complications, including dehydration (4.5%), hemorrhage (2.3%) and fever (0.5%). There were no statistically significant associations between demographic parameters (gender, race, and obesity) or polysomnographic parameters (apnea hypopnea index, % total sleep time with SpO2<92%, SpO2 nadir, % sleep time with end-tidal CO2>50Torr) and complications.

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed a low risk of post-adenotonsillectomy complications in school-aged healthy children with obstructive apnea although many children met published criteria for admission due to obesity, or polysomnographic severity. In this specific population, none of the polysomnographic or demographic parameters predicted post-operative complications. Further research could identify the patients at greatest risk of post-operative complications.

Predictors of perioperative complications in higher risk children after adenotonsillectomy for obstructive sleep apnea: a prospective study

OBJECTIVE

Retrospective studies have limitations in predicting perioperative risk following adenotonsillectomy in children with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Few prospective studies exist. We hypothesized that demographic and polysomnographic (PSG) variables would predict respiratory and general perioperative complications.

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective, observational cohort study.

SETTING

Pediatric tertiary center.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Consecutive children undergoing adenotonsillectomy for OSAS within 12 months of PSG were evaluated for complications occurring within 2 weeks of surgery.

RESULTS

There were 329 subjects, with 27% <3 years old, 24% obese, 16% preterm, and 29% with comorbidities. In this higher risk population, 28% had respiratory complications (major and/or minor), and 33% had nonrespiratory complications. Significant associations were found between PSG parameters and respiratory complications as follows: apnea hypopnea index (rank-biserial correlation coefficient [r] = 0.174, P = .017), SpO2 nadir (r = -0.332, P < .0005), sleep time with SpO2 <90% (r = 0.298, P < .0005), peak end-tidal CO2 (r = 0.354, P < .0005), and sleep time with end-tidal CO2 >50 mm Hg (r = 0.199, P = .006). Associations were also found between respiratory complications and age <3 years (r = -0.174, P = .003) or black race (r = 0.123, P = .039). No significant associations existed between PSG parameters and nonrespiratory complications. A model using age <3 years, SpO2 nadir, and peak CO2 predicted respiratory complications better than the American Academy of Pediatrics or American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation guidelines but was imperfect (area under the curve = 0.72).

CONCLUSION

Thus, PSG predicted perioperative respiratory, but not nonrespiratory, complications in children with OSAS. Age <3 years or black race are high-risk factors. Present guidelines have limitations in determining the need for postoperative admission.

Dexamethasone and haemorrhage risk in paediatric tonsillectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Summary In children undergoing tonsillectomy, dexamethasone is recommended to reduce the risk of postoperative nausea and vomiting while non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used for pain relief. We aimed to determine whether children who receive dexamethasone or dexamethasone with NSAID are more likely to experience haemorrhage post-tonsillectomy. Randomized and non-randomized studies in which children undergoing tonsillectomy received dexamethasone or dexamethasone and NSAID were sought within bibliographic databases and selected tertiary sources. The risk of bias assessment and evaluation of haemorrhage rate data collection and reporting were assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool and McHarm tool. Synthesis methods comprised pooled estimate of the effect of dexamethasone on the risk of haemorrhage rate using the Peto odds ratio (OR) method. The pooled estimate for haemorrhage rate in children who received dexamethasone was 6.2%, OR 1.41 (95% confidence interval 0.89-2.25, P=0.15). There was risk of bias and inconsistent data collection and reporting rates of haemorrhage in many of the included studies. Clinical heterogeneity was observed between studies. The pooled analysis did not demonstrate a statistically significant increase in the risk of post-tonsillectomy haemorrhage with dexamethasone with/without NSAID use in children. However, the majority of the included studies were not designed to investigate this endpoint, and thus large studies which are specifically designed to collect data on haemorrhage rate are needed.

Tranexamic acid – a useful drug in ENT surgery?

Background:

Tranexamic acid is a synthetic antifibrinolytic drug. It has been widely available for over 40 years, but only recently has it started to be used routinely in many surgical disciplines. For ENT surgeons, epistaxis and post-tonsillectomy bleeding contribute a significant proportion of the morbidity and emergency workload in a general ENT department. Published evidence indicates a potentially helpful role for tranexamic acid in managing epistaxis.

Results and conclusion:

To date, the benefits of tranexamic acid as a prophylactic treatment to reduce the rate and severity of post-tonsillectomy bleeding are less certain. Two recently published pilot studies looking at primary haemorrhage in children and secondary haemorrhage in adults following tonsillectomy suggest that further large, randomised trials should explore the efficacy of tranexamic acid in routine ENT surgery. There are potential reductions in patient morbidity and cost savings if tranexamic acid is found to be efficacious in larger trials.

Perioperative tranexamic acid in day-case paediatric tonsillectomy

INTRODUCTION

Tranexamic acid has been used for many years to minimise blood loss during surgery and, more recently, to reduce morbidity after major trauma. While small studies have confirmed reduction in blood loss during tonsillectomy with its use, the rate of primary haemorrhage following tonsillectomy has not been reported. In the UK, less than 50% of children having a tonsillectomy are managed as day cases, partly because of concerns about bleeding during the initial 24 hours following surgery.

METHODS

A retrospective review of clinical records between January 2007 and January 2013 produced 476 children between the ages of 3 and 16 years who underwent Coblation™ tonsillectomy, with or without adenoidectomy and/or insertion of ventilation tubes. All children were ASA (American Society of Anesthesiologists) grade 1 or 2 and anaesthetised using a standard day surgery protocol. Following induction of anaesthesia, all received intravenous tranexamic acid at a dose of 10-15 mg/kg.

RESULTS

Two children (0.4%) had minor bleeding within two hours of surgery. Both returned to theatre for haemostasis and were discharged home later the same day with no further complications. The expected rate for primary haemorrhage in the UK using this technique for tonsillectomy is 1%.

CONCLUSIONS

Perioperative tranexamic acid in a single, parenteral dose might reduce the incidence of primary haemorrhage following paediatric tonsillectomy, facilitating discharge on the day of surgery. The results from this observational study indicate a potential benefit and need for a large, prospective, multicentre, randomised controlled trial.