Acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and tramadol analgesic interactions after adenotonsillectomy.

BACKGROUND: The impact of tramadol in children given acetaminophen-ibuprofen combination therapy is uncertain in acute pediatric pain management. A model describing the interaction between these three drugs would be useful to understand the role of supplemental analgesic therapy. METHODS: Children undergoing tonsillectomy were given oral paracetamol and ibuprofen perioperatively. Blood was taken for paracetamol and ibuprofen drug assay on up to six occasions over 6 h after the initial dose. Tramadol was administered by caregivers for unacceptable postoperative pain. Pain was measured using the Parent's Postoperative Pain Measurement rating two hourly on the first postoperative day. A first-order absorption, one-compartment linear model with first-order elimination was used to describe acetaminophen and ibuprofen disposition. Analgesia was described using an EMAX model extended for three drugs, assuming additive effects. Curve fitting was performed using nonlinear mixed effects models. RESULTS: Pharmacodynamic parameter estimates, expressed using fractional Hill equation, were maximum effect (EMAX ) 0.65 (95%CI 0.54, 0.74), the concentration of acetaminophen associated with 50% of the maximal drug effect (C50,ACET ) 7.06 (95%CI 7.03, 7.72) mg/L, and the ibuprofen C50 (C50,IBU ) 3.95 (95%CI 2.57, 7.53) mg/L. The Hill coefficient was 1.48 (95%CI 0.92, 2.62) and an interaction term was fixed at zero (additivity). The half-time (t1/2 keo) for equilibration between the plasma and effect site was 0.34 hour (95%CI 0.23, 1.98) for acetaminophen and 1.04 hour (95%CI 0.75, 1.77) for ibuprofen. Tramadol had a C50,TRAM of 0.07 (95%CI 0.048, 1.07) mg/L with a t1/2 keo,TRAM 1.78 hour (95%CI 1.06, 1.96). CONCLUSION: Ibuprofen has an EC50 for analgesia in children similar to that of adults (3.95 mg/L; 95%CI 2.57-7.53, vs 5-10 mg/L adults). The maximum effect from combination therapy (ie, 65% reduction in pain score) achieves satisfactory analgesia with commonly used doses but increased dose adds little additional benefit. The addition of tramadol to this analgesic mixture prolongs analgesia duration.

Postoperative care after tonsillectomy: what's the evidence?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this review is to evaluate the current literature regarding postoperative management after tonsillectomy in children. RECENT FINDINGS: Controversy remains regarding the ideal medication regimen to manage pain after tonsillectomy. Acetaminophen and ibuprofen are routinely used, although concerns of more severe postoperative hemorrhage with ibuprofen remain. Narcotics are prescribed commonly, but with extreme caution in children with severe obstructive sleep apnea. Although not always utilized by the authors, additional adjunctive medications such as perioperative dexamethasone, ketamine, and local infiltration of lidocaine into tonsillar pillars may decrease postoperative pain. Systematic reviews have shown that dexamethasone does not increase risk of posttonsillectomy bleeding. SUMMARY: Adenotonsillectomy is one of the most common procedures performed on children and may have significant morbidity from postoperative pain and bleeding. Managing pain remains challenging and the optimal treatment regimen has not been definitively identified. Many medications and alternative therapies have been studied and suggest possible benefit.

The Effect of Montelukast on Mild Persistent OSA after Adenotonsillectomy in Children: A Preliminary Study.

This study sought to evaluate the treatment effect of montelukast in children with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) after tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy (T&A). Fifty-eight children with persistent OSA after T&A were included and randomly divided into 2 groups: one group was administered montelukast for 12 weeks, and the other received no treatment. Clinical information, such as the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and nadir oxyhemoglobin saturation (nadir SpO2), was recorded. Symptoms of OSA were evaluated using the validated Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire (PSQ). After surgery, there was no difference in terms of AHI, nadir SpO2, and PSQ scores between 2 groups. After the 12-week course of montelukast administration, the treatment group had significant improvement in the AHI, nadir SpO2, and PSQ scores ( P < .001), while the no-treatment group had no change over time ( P > .05). In summary, montelukast as a complementary therapy can improve sleep disturbances in children with OSA after T&A.

Ropivacaine plus dexamethasone infiltration reduces postoperative pain after tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect of ropivacaine plus dexamethasone and ropivacaine alone as infiltration anesthesia on postoperative pain, nausea and vomiting, and oral intake in children after tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. METHODS: Two hundred pediatric patients scheduled for tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy were prospectively enrolled and randomly placed in a ropivacaine with dexamethasone group (RD) or a ropivacaine alone group (R). Treatment for both groups was administered by local infiltration, and pain scores were recorded at various intervals. Primary outcomes were pain scores recorded 4-24h postoperation. Secondary outcomes included time to the first administration of analgesic and total consumption of analgesics for all children, time to first water request, first oral intake, incidence of nausea or vomiting, and time to discharge. RESULTS: From postoperative hours 4-24, children in the RD group had lower pain scores than children in the R group (P < 0.05). Total fentanyl consumption was significantly decreased in the RD group compared to the R group (50.9 ± 9.3 vs. 103.9 ± 11.5 µg, P < 0.001). The time to first water request and first oral intake were significantly shorter in the RD group [(40 min (27-64) vs. 64 min (43-89); P < 0.001) and (54 min (40-91) vs. 85 min (67-127); P < 0.001), respectively]. Oral intake was significantly improved, and the incidence of nausea and vomiting were reduced in the RD group (P < 0.05). The time to discharge was shorter in the RD group when compared with the R group (9.06 ± 0.89 d vs. 7.05 ± 0.71 d; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Ropivacaine plus dexamethasone infiltration effectively lowers pain, improves oral intake, lowers postoperative nausea and vomiting, and decreases the time to discharge.

The comparison of preincisional peritonsillar infiltration of ketamine and tramadol for postoperative pain relief on children following adenotonsillectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate and compare the effectiveness of preincisional peritonsillar infiltration of ketamine and tramadol for post-operative pain on children following adenotonsillectomy. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective randomized double blind controlled study. METHODS: Seventy-five children aged 3-10 years undergoing adenotonsillectomy were included in study. Patients received injections in peritonsillar fossa of tramadol (2 mg/kg-2 ml), ketamine (0.5 mg/kg-2 ml) or 2 ml serum physiologic. During operation heart rate, oxygen saturation, average mean blood pressures were recorded in every 5 min. Operation, anesthesia and the time that Alderete scores 9-10, patient satisfaction, analgesic requirements were recorded. Postoperatively nausea, vomiting, sedation, dysphagia, bleeding scores were recorded at 0, 10, 30, 60 min and 2, 4, 8, 12, 18, 24h postoperatively. Pain was evaluated using modified Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Pain Scale (mCHEOPS) at fixed intervals after the procedure (15 min and 1, 4, 12, 16, and 24h postoperatively). RESULTS: The recordings of heart rate, mean arterial pressure, nausea, vomiting, sedation and bleeding scores were similar in all groups (p>0.05). The mCHEOPS scores at 10 min, 30 min, 1h, 8h were significantly lower in both tramadol and ketamine group when compared with control (p<0.05). Use of additional analgesia at 10 min and 18 h were higher in control group than ketamine, tramadol group (p<0.05). Dysphagia scores were significantly lower for both ketamine and tramadol group when compared with control group (p<0.05). mCHEOPS, additional analgesia, dysphagia, patient satisfaction scores were similar in tramadol, ketamine groups (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Preincisional injection of ketamine and tramadol prior to tonsillectomy is safe, effective method and equivalent for post-tonsillectomy pain, patient satisfaction, postoperative nausea, vomiting, dysphagia.

Comparing postoperative quality of life in children after microdebrider intracapsular tonsillotomy and tonsillectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate postoperative quality of life in patients undergoing microdebrider intracapsular tonsillotomy and adenoidectomy (PITA) in comparison with traditional adenotonsillectomy (AT) and to assess PITA's efficacy in solving upper-airway obstructive symptoms. METHODS: 29 children with adenotonsillar hyperplasia referred for AT were included. Patients were divided into two groups: Group 1 (underwent PITA) included 14 children (age 5.1±1.8 years) affected by night-time airway obstruction without a relevant history of recurrent tonsillitis; Group 2 (underwent AT) included 15 children (age 5.2±1.7 years) with a history of upper-airway obstruction during sleep and recurrent acute tonsillitis. Outcomes measures included the number of administered pain medications, time before returning to a full diet, Obstructive Sleep Apnea survey (OSA-18), parent's postoperative pain measure questionnaire (PPPM) and Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale (WBFPRS). RESULTS: Postoperative pain was significantly lower in the PITA group, as demonstrated by PPPM and WBFPRS scores and by a lower number of pain medications used. PITA group also resumed a regular diet earlier (P<0.001). OSA-18 scores proved that both PITA and AT were equally effective in curing upper-airway obstructive symptoms. CONCLUSION: PITA reduces post-tonsil ablation morbidity and can be a valid alternative to AT for treating upper-airway obstruction due to adenotonsillar hyperplasia.

[Therapeutic and diagnostic criteria of choice of treatment methods in adenoid vegetations as a focus of chronic infection in childhood].

Clinical, laboratory and device methods were used in examinations of 175 children. Basing on the results of the above examinations, therapeutic and diagnostic criteria of choice of a method of treating adenoid vegetations in children were proposed.

[Combined premedication at adenectomy in children]. / Kombinirovannaia premedikatsiia pri adenotomii u detei.

Adenoid vegetation is a frequent pathology in children, and adenotomy (AT) is the only method of its treatment. The problem of anesthesia at AT has always remained an acute one: the risk of general anesthesia exceeds manifold the risk of intervention itself. At the same time, the local anesthesia is not always an method, therefore, the authors put the goal to improve it through potentiating. A total of 180 children, aged 3 to 14, were divided into several groups; anesthesia at AT was implemented according to the below described methods and with regard for the age-related doses of preparations: Group 1--a 2% lydocain solution administered endonasally (e/n); Group 2--lydocain plus diazepam solution administered e/n; Group 3--same preparations and 50% metamizol solution administered e/n; Group 4--lydocain, metamizol e/n, and diazepam administered transbuccally, i.e. chewing gum; Group 5--a 4% articain solution and metamizol e/n plus diazepam administered transbuccally; Group 6--the same technique after a preliminary administration of lydocain; Group 7--clonidine, administered transbuccally, was added. The adequacy of anesthesia was evaluated by using the parameters of the vegetative nervous system and hemodynamics. It was demonstrated that the administration of lydocain alone leads to a sharp activation of the sympathoadrenal system; metamizol and diazepam, especially when administered transbuccally, contribute to an enhanced efficiency of anesthesia, while the endonasal administration of articain and metamizol, after a preliminary introduction of lydocain, combined with the transbuccal administration of diazepam and clonidine is the most optimal variant, however, this method can not be acknowledged as an ideal one and needs further improvement.

Incidência e evolução da otite média secretora em crianças com síndrome de Down / Incidence and evolution of secretory otitis media in children with Down's syndrome

Foi realizado um estudo coorte para avaliar a incidência e a evolução da otite média secretora nas crianças do Grupo de Estudos de Síndrome de Down do Ambulatório da Divisão de Clínica Otorrinolaringológica do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo. Das 73 crianças avaliadas, 50 (68,5 por cento) foram selecionadas para análise da incidência e 33 (31,5 por cento) para a evolução. A otite média secretora foi observada em 56 por cento das crianças, não sendo notada diferença entre os sexos, a presença de obstrução de via aérea superior e estenose do meato acústico externo. Foram observados baixa eficácia do tratamento clínico, dificuldade cirúrgica em 26,1 por cento das crianças e resolução da otite em 50 por cento das crianças submetidas adenoidectomia ou adenotonsilectomia associada ou não a colocação de tubo de ventilação.A cohort study was performed to evaluate the incidence and the effects of treatment of secretory otitis media in children from the Down's Syndrome Study Group of the Otolaryngologic Department of the Clinical Hospital of the University of São Paulo Medical School. Fifty (68,5 per cent) of 73 children were used to the incidence evaluation and 33 (31,5 per cent) were followed-up for evolution analisys. The disorder was observed in 56 per cent of the children. Sex, upper airway obstruction and stenotic external auditory canal showed no statistical relationship with the incidence of the secretory otitis media. Low success rates of clinical treatment, 26,1 per cent of failed tympanostomy tube insertion and 50 per cent of effusion resolution after adenoidectomy or adenotonsillectomy in association with or without placement of tympanostomy tube were observed...

Adjuvant therapies in children undergoing adenotonsillectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To review adjuvant therapies used in children undergoing adenotonsillectomy, addressing several areas of controversy. STUDY DESIGN: Review. METHODS: Studies of perioperative injection of local anesthetic agents, postoperative use of antibiotics, perioperative use of intravenously administered steroids, and pain management in adenotonsillectomy were reviewed. RESULTS: Controversy exists about all adjuvant therapies discussed. Injection of local anesthetics may reduce pain and bleeding but has been associated with several serious side effects. Most patients receive antibiotics postoperatively, but no consensus exists about the agent of choice or duration of its use and there is concern about development of bacterial resistance. A meta-analysis found that children given steroids perioperatively were less likely to have an episode of emesis, but the analysis could not assess the role of steroids in pain control because of a lack of data. The effectiveness of acetaminophen alone compared with acetaminophen plus a narcotic for analgesia after adenotonsillectomy is controversial. CONCLUSION: Adjuvant therapies have many possible benefits for children undergoing adenotonsillectomy, but otolaryngologists must make careful choices about these treatments.