Post-operative pain control after tonsillectomy: dexametasone vs tramadol

Effects of glossopharyngeal nerve block on pain control after tonsillectomy: a systemic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

We investigated the role of perioperative intraoral glossopharyngeal nerve block to minimize postoperative pain in patients undergoing tonsillectomy through a meta-analysis of the relevant literature.

METHODS

We retrieved eight studies from PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases up to August 2023. We compared perioperative glossopharyngeal nerve block with a control group, in order to examine postoperative pain, analgesic use, and other postoperative morbidities.

RESULTS

Postoperative pain was significantly reduced at 1-4 h (SMD -1.26, 95% CI [-2.35; -0.17], I2 = 94.7%, P = 0.02) and 5-8 hours (SMD -1.40, 95% CI [-2.47; -0.34], I2 = 96.1%, p = 0.01) in the treatment groups compared to the control group. However, glossopharyngeal nerve block showed no efficacy in reducing pain or use of analgesic drugs after 12 h compared to the control group. The incidences of postoperative bleeding (OR 0.95, 95% CI [0.35; 2.52], I2 = 0.0%), local agent toxicity (OR 4.14, 95% CI [0.44; 38.63], I2 = 0.0%), nasal problems (OR 1.25, 95% CI [0.60; 2.61], I2 = 0.0%), postoperative nausea and vomiting (OR 1.35, 95% CI [0.78; 2.33], I2 = 0.0%), swallowing difficulty (OR 1.61, 95% CI [0.76; 3.42], I2 = 56.0%), and voice change (OR 3.11, 95% CI [0.31; 30.80], I2 = 0.0%) were not significantly different between the treatment and control groups. The treatment group showed higher prevalence of respiratory problems and dry mouth compared to control without statistical significance, but a significant increase in throat discomfort (p = 0.02).

CONCLUSION

Intraoral glossopharyngeal nerve block for tonsillectomy did not significantly impact postoperative pain management and was associated with some adverse effects with increases in respiratory problems, dry mouth, and throat discomfort compared to controls.

The analgesic Efficacy and Safety of Topically Applied Tramadol in Peritonsillar Space During Pediatric Adenotonsillectomy: A Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the efficacy of topically applied tramadol in peritonsillar area for pain control and induction of perioperative morbidity in children undergoing adenotonsillectomy.

METHODS

Two authors independently searched the databases (MEDLINE, SCOPUS, and Cochrane databases) up to April 2022 for randomized controlled trials comparing the efficacy of an intraoperative peritonsillar administered tramadol with placebo or other agents only in pediatric patients. The outcomes were postoperative pain scores, time to take the first pain reducing drugs, and postoperative nausea/vomiting.

RESULTS

Our analysis was based on 17 trials. Peritonsillar administered tramadol significantly reduced postoperative pain at less than 20 minutes (SMD -1.5852, 95% CI [-2.3900; -0.7804]), 1 hour (SMD -1.5811, 95% CI [-2.3400; -0.8222]), 8 hours (SMD -1.0258, 95% CI [-1.8792; -0.1724]), 16 hours (SMD -0.8397, 95% CI [-1.4266; -0.2529]), and 1 day (SMD -1.0110, 95% CI [-1.5213; -0.5007]) and the time to take the first analgesic drug (SMD 1.6565, 95% CI [0.2838; 3.0293]) compared with the placebo. However, tramadol showed no significant difference on postoperative pain relief effects and the time to take the first analgesic drug compared to the other topical agents (bupivacaine, lidocaine, ketamine, and dexamethasone). Tramadol did not cause significant postoperative nausea and vomiting.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated that intraoperatively applied topical tramadol could control postoperative pain and reduce the analgesic uptake compared with a control. However, the efficacy of tramadol in pain control was similar to other agents in pediatric adenotonsillectomy.

The efficacy and safety of peri-tonsillar administrated agents on pain treatment after pediatric tonsillectomy: A network meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

We assessed the pain control efficacies and associated morbidities of drugs administered locally (around the tonsils) in pediatric patients undergoing a tonsillectomy.

METHODS

Randomized controlled trials up to April 2022 were retrieved from six databases. The treatment networks featured six interventions (ropivacaine, bupivacaine, levobupivacaine, ketamine, tramadol, and dexamethasone) and a control (placebo). The outcomes were the postoperative pain scores, the time to use of the first analgesic drugs, and postoperative nausea/vomiting. Both pairwise and network meta-analyses were performed.

RESULTS

All treatments controlled pain at 1 h and 1 day postoperatively. Although all agents tended to delay the time to the first analgesic drug, only bupivacaine, dexamethasone, ketamine, and tramadol significantly reduced the need for analgesics. No agent caused significant postoperative nausea or vomiting. The ranking hierarchy revealed that tramadol was superior in terms of pain control 1 h postoperatively, the time to the first analgesic drug, and the number of analgesic doses required; however, it ranked third in terms of operative time.

CONCLUSION

All drugs reduced postoperative pain. Tramadol was optimal in pain control, and dexamethasone also afforded good pain control with low incidences of nausea and vomiting.

A scoping review of randomized clinical trials for pain management in pediatric tonsillectomy and adenotonsillectomy

Objectives

To examine the volume, topics, and reporting trends in the published literature of randomized clinical trials for pharmacologic pain management of pediatric tonsillectomy and adenotonsillectomy and to identify areas requiring further research.

Data Sources

PubMed (National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health), Scopus (Elsevier), CINAHL (EBSCO), and Cochrane Library (Wiley).

Methods

A systematic search of four databases was conducted. Only randomized controlled or comparison trials examining pain improvement with a pharmacologic intervention in pediatric tonsillectomy or adenotonsillectomy were included. Data collected included demographics, pain-related outcomes, sedation scores, nausea/vomiting, postoperative bleeding, types of drug comparisons, modes of administration, timing of administration, and identities of the investigated drugs.

Results

One hundred and eighty-nine studies were included for analysis. Most studies included validated pain scales, with the majority using visual-assisted scales (49.21%). Fewer studies examined pain beyond 24 h postoperation (24.87%), and few studies included a validated sedation scale (12.17%). Studies have compared several different dimensions of pharmacologic treatment, including different drugs, timing of administration, modes of administration, and dosages. Only 23 (12.17%) studies examined medications administered postoperatively, and only 29 (15.34%) studies examined oral medications. Acetaminophen only had four self-comparisons.

Conclusion

Our work provides the first scoping review of pain and pediatric tonsillectomy. With drug safety profiles considered, the literature does not have enough data to determine which treatment regimen provides superior pain control in pediatric tonsillectomy. Even common drugs like acetaminophen and ibuprofen require further research for optimizing the treatment of posttonsillectomy pain. The heterogeneity in study design and comparisons weakens the conclusions of potential systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Future directions include more noninferiority studies of unique comparisons and more studies examining oral medications given postoperatively.

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.

PROSPECT guideline for tonsillectomy: systematic review and procedure-specific postoperative pain management recommendations

Tonsillectomy is one of the most frequently performed surgical procedures; however, pain management remains challenging. Procedure‐specific efficacy as well as specific risks of treatment options should guide selection of pain management protocols based on evidence and should optimise analgesia without harm. The aims of this systematic review were to evaluate the available literature and develop recommendations for optimal pain management after tonsillectomy. A systematic review utilising preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta‐analysis guidelines with procedure‐specific postoperative pain management (PROSPECT) methodology was undertaken. Randomised controlled trials published in the English language up to November 2019 assessing postoperative pain using analgesic, anaesthetic or surgical interventions were identified. Out of the 719 potentially eligible studies identified, 226 randomised controlled trials met the inclusion criteria, excluding the studies examining surgical techniques. Pre‐operative and intra‐operative interventions that improved postoperative pain were paracetamol; non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs; intravenous dexamethasone; ketamine (only assessed in children); gabapentinoids; dexmedetomidine; honey; and acupuncture. Inconsistent evidence was found for local anaesthetic infiltration; antibiotics; and magnesium sulphate. Limited evidence was found for clonidine. The analgesic regimen for tonsillectomy should include paracetamol; non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs; and intravenous dexamethasone, with opioids as rescue analgesics. Analgesic adjuncts such as intra‐operative and postoperative acupuncture as well as postoperative honey are also recommended. Ketamine (only for children); dexmedetomidine; or gabapentinoids may be considered when some of the first‐line analgesics are contra‐indicated. Further randomised controlled trials are required to define risk and combination of drugs most effective for postoperative pain relief after tonsillectomy.

Analgesic Efficacy and Safety of Local Infiltration of Tramadol in Pediatric Tonsillectomy Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to appraise clinical evidence of the impact of peritonsillar infiltration of tramadol, on postoperative pain control and the occurrence of adverse effects in children undergoing tonsillectomy.

METHODS

A database search was conducted to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) pertinent to peritonsillar infiltration of tramadol compared to no treatment (placebo) or other analgesic regimens. The outcomes of interest were postoperative pain intensity, time to first analgesic demand, rescue analgesic consumption up to 24 hours after intervention, and the occurrence of adverse events.

RESULTS

Twelve RCTs enrolling 972 pediatric patients were selected for qualitative analysis, among which eight were suitable for meta-analysis. Tramadol infiltration induced a significant reduction of pain intensity up to 24 hours post-tonsillectomy (mean difference [MD], -2.31; 95% confidence interval [CI], -3.49 to -1.12; P < 0.001; I²  = 97%) and time to first analgesic (MD 180.54; 95% CI, 56.91 to 304.18; P = 0.004; I²  = 99%), with no profound impact on postoperative nausea and vomiting (risk ratio [RR] 0.98; 95% CI, 0.73 to 1.32; P = 0.90; I²  = 0%) compared to the placebo group. The analgesic efficacy of tramadol infiltration was equivalent to the local or systematic use of ketamine or infiltration with local anesthetics. This effect was further enhanced when tramadol infiltration served as an adjunct to other analgesic interventions. No serious adverse events were reported.

CONCLUSIONS

In children undergoing tonsillectomy, peritonsillar infiltration of tramadol is associated with a postoperative analgesic benefit when compared to placebo, with negligible adverse events. Yet, no definite conclusion can be drawn due to the low quality, considerable heterogeneity, and paucity of the available data.

Glossopharyngeal Nerve Block with Long Acting Local Anaesthetic Agent (Bupivacaine) and It's Effect on Early Post-operative Period in Adult Tonsillectomy: A Prospective Study

We evaluated the benefit of glossopharyngeal nerve block with long acting local anaesthetic like bupivacaine. It was a randomized prospective study. Sixty-four patients were selected and divided into two groups. Group A received bilateral nerve block and Group B received no block. Pain score using Visual Analog Scale (0-100 mm) was assessed at 30 min, 2, 6 and 12 h. In the immediate post operative period pain scores of Group A at rest and swallowing was significantly lower than Group B (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01). Glossopharyngeal nerve block is an important method of reducing post-tonsillectomy pain.

Comparing the Efficacy of Peritonsillar Injection of Tramadol With Honey in Controlling Post-Tonsillectomy Pain in Adults

INTRODUCTION

The authors investigated the effect of honey on post-tonsillectomy pain and compare its efficacy with tramadol.

METHODS

This clinical trial was performed on 60 patients with American Society of Anesthesia I and II aged between 18 and 55 years and underwent tonsillectomy. Induction of anesthesia was carried out using 2 mg/kg propofol and 0.5 atracurium following 1.5 μg/kg fentanyl administration. Group B was given tramadol at dose of 2 mg/kg and with volume of 4 mL and Group A was given normal saline with the same volume 2 mL of medications were injected using needle (25) into tonsil bed and anterior old of each tonsil by an anesthesiologist. Three minutes after injection, the surgery was performed by the same ENT residents for all patients. In the recovery room Group B received antibiotics and oral acetaminophen. Group A was given antibiotics, oral acetaminophen, and honey dissolved in 40 mL warm water every 6 hours from when the patient was fully awake. Patients in Group A were told to eat honey 3 times a day 7 days postoperatively. Pain was scored using Numeric Rating Scale at the time points of 2, 6, 12, and 24 hours as well as 3 and 7 days postoperatively. Moreover, the healing status and epithelialization degree of tonsillar bed were considered on 1 and 7 days after the surgery by ENT specialist.

RESULTS

The mean of pain score was significantly higher in Group A within 24 hours postoperatively as compared with Group B (P < 0.01). The mean of pain score was lower in Group B after 3 and 7 days but this difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Considering restoration status and epithelialization degree of tonsillar bed on the 1st and 7th days, there was no statistically significant difference between 2 groups; however, tonsillar bed healing process was better in Group B on the 7th day.

CONCLUSION

The current investigation confirmed the positive impact of tramadol on post-tonsillectomy pain relief in adults. The authors also found that honey can be used as a complementary treatment along with acetaminophen and other analgesics for reducing post-tonsillectomy pain. Considering honey impact on wound healing and its anti-inflammatory effect, it is suggested for relieving complications after surgery.