Ketorolac tromethamine and hemorrhage in tonsillectomy: a prospective, randomized, double-blind study

Understanding Hematoma Risk: Study of Patient and Perioperative Factors in a Large Cohort of Young Women Undergoing Reduction Mammaplasty

BACKGROUND

Despite high satisfaction rates, reduction mammaplasty can have complications such as hematoma. Factors such as age, tobacco use, and comorbidities are known contributors, whereas the influence of race, BMI, certain medications, and blood pressure (BP) remain contentious. This study investigates hematoma risk factors in young women undergoing reduction mammaplasty.

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective review was conducted including all female patients who underwent bilateral reduction mammaplasty at a single institution between 2012 and 2022. Data on demographics, BMI, medical comorbidities, surgical techniques, medications, and perioperative BP were collected. Differences between patients who developed a hematoma and those who did not were assessed using chi-square, Fisher's exact, and t -tests. The relationship between perioperative BP and hematoma formation was assessed using logistic regression.

RESULTS

Of 1,754 consecutive patients, 3% developed postoperative hematoma of any kind, with 1.8% returning to the operating room. Age (odds ratio [OR] 1.14, p = 0.01) and ketorolac use (OR 3.93, p = 0.01) were associated with hematoma development. Controlling for baseline BP, each 10 mmHg incremental increase in peak intraoperative BP (systolic BP [SBP]: OR 1.24, p = 0.03; mean arterial pressure: OR 1.24, p = 0.01) and postoperative BP (SBP: OR 1.41, p = 0.01; mean arterial pressure: OR 1.49, p = 0.01) escalated the odds of hematoma. Postoperative SBP variability also incrementally increased hematoma odds (OR 1.48, p < 0.01). Other factors, including race and surgical technique, were not significantly influential.

CONCLUSIONS

Age, ketorolac use, and intra- and postoperative BP peaks and variability are risk factors for hematoma in reduction mammaplasty. This emphasizes the importance of perioperative BP management and optimizing pain management protocols.

Efficacy of an opioid-sparing analgesic protocol in pain control after less invasive cranial neurosurgery

An opioid-sparing protocol for postoperative pain management in less invasive cranial neurosurgery significantly lowered opioid usage while reducing pain scores.

Introduction:

Opioid overuse in postoperative patients is a worrisome trend, and potential alternatives exist which warrant investigation. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use in treating postoperative cranial surgery pain has been hampered by concern for inadequate pain control and increased risk of hemorrhagic complications. A safe and effective alternative to opioid-based pain management is critical to improving postoperative care.

Objective:

The objective of this retrospective study was to determine whether an NSAID-based opioid-sparing pain management protocol (OSP) is effective in analgesic control of less invasive cranial surgery patients at 6-, 12-, and 24-hour postoperatively. Secondary aims included investigating differences in hemorrhagic complications.

Methods:

Five hundred sixty-six consecutive patients who underwent cranial surgery before and after implementation of the celecoxib-based OSP were eligible. Propensity score matching was used to match patients in each cohort.

Results:

The opioid-sparing cohort had lower pain scores at 6 hours (3.45 vs 4.19, P = 0.036), 12 hours (3.21 vs 4.00, P = 0.006), and 24 hours (2.90 vs 3.59, P = 0.010). Rates of postoperative hemorrhage were not significantly different (5% intervention vs 8% control, P = 0.527). The opioid-sparing pain management protocol provided comparable or better pain control in the first 24 hours after less invasive cranial surgery. Hemorrhage rates did not change with the use of an NSAID-based OSP.

Conclusion:

An effective alternative to the current standard opioid-based pain management is feasible for less invasive cranial surgery. Determinations of hemorrhage risk and more complex cranial surgery will require larger prospective randomized trials.

Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Association Between Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs and Operative Bleeding in the Perioperative Period

BACKGROUND

It is increasingly recognized that non-opioid analgesia is an important analgesia in the perioperative period. Specifically, NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) have been touted as an adjunct, or even replacement, for opioids. However, uptake of NSAIDs has been slow due to concern for side effects, including bleeding. We sought to understand the risk of bleeding caused by NSAIDs in the perioperative period.

STUDY DESIGN

A physician-librarian team performed a search of electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE), using search terms covering the targeted intervention (use of NSAIDs) and outcomes of interest (surgical complications, bleeding), limited to English language articles of any date. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of the data.

RESULTS

A total of 2,521 articles were screened, and 229 were selected on the basis of title and abstract for detailed assessment. Including reference searching, 74 manuscripts met inclusion criteria spanning years 1987-2019. These studies included 151,031 patients. Studies included 12 types of NSAIDs, the most common being ketorolac, diclofenac, and ibuprofen, over a wide-range of procedures, from otorhinolaryngology (ENT), breast, abdomen, plastics, and more. More than half were randomized control trials. The meta-analyses for hematoma, return to the operating room for bleeding, and blood transfusions showed no difference in risk in any of 3 categories studied between the NSAID vs non-NSAID groups (p = 0.49, p = 0.79, and p = 0.49, respectively). Quality scoring found a wide range of quality, with scores ranging from lowest quality of 12 to highest quality of 25, out of a total of 27 (average = 16).

CONCLUSIONS

NSAIDs are unlikely to be the cause of postoperative bleeding complications. This literature covers a large number of patients and remains consistent across types of NSAIDs and operations.

Postoperative Ketorolac Administration Is Not Associated with Hemorrhage in Cranial Vault Remodeling for Craniosynostosis

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have been used as part of multimodal postoperative analgesic regimens to reduce the necessity of opioids. However, due to its effect on platelet function, there is a hesitation to utilize ketorolac postoperatively. The goal of this study is to analyze our experience utilizing ketorolac in patients who underwent major cranial vault remodeling (CVR) for craniosynostosis with an emphasis on postoperative hemorrhage and complications.

A Randomized Single-Blinded Trial of Posttonsillectomy Liposomal Bupivacaine among Adult Patients

Objective

To determine whether liposomal bupivacaine (Exparel) is safe and effective in the management of posttonsillectomy pain among adult patients.

Study Design

A prospective single-blind randomized controlled trial.

Setting

An academic quaternary care center (Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota).

Subjects and Methods

From May 2015 to December 2016, 39 patients were randomized to receive oral pain medication and 8 mL of injected liposomal bupivacaine or oral pain medication alone for treatment of their posttonsillectomy pain. Visual analog scale pain intensity scores, oral pain medication usage, liquid oral intake, and complications were recorded for 2 weeks after the procedure.

Results

Thirty-nine patients were randomized, with 17 patients in the liposomal bupivacaine group and 22 in the control group. Fifteen patients in the liposomal bupivacaine group and 18 patients in the control group completed the study. Pain intensity score on postoperative day 1 ( P = .043) proved to be the only statistically significant result, with no difference noted in pain scores on postoperative days 2 to 14. There was no difference in pain medication usage, liquid oral intake, postoperative hemorrhage, or adverse events between groups.

Conclusions

The injection of liposomal bupivacaine in the posttonsillectomy wound bed demonstrates improved pain intensity scores for the first 24 hours after surgery with no adverse complications noted in comparison with patients who did not receive the injection. Given the limited pain reduction and increased cost, use of liposomal bupivacaine in adult tonsillectomy patients appears to have minimal indication for use.

The effect of flurbiprofen oral spray and ibuprofen vs ibuprofen alone on postoperative tonsillectomy pain: An open, randomised, controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

This prospective clinical study was carried out to evaluate the analgesic efficacy and safety of oral spray form of flurbiprofen in the treatment of postoperative pain in tonsillectomy patients.

STUDY DESIGN

Open, randomised, controlled clinical study.

SETTING

Tertiary care training and research hospital.

PARTICIPANTS

One hundred (53 males, 47 females) with an age range of 18-53 years old (mean 27.4 ± 9.3 SD) undergoing tonsillectomy were enrolled in this prospective controlled study.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Patients receiving oral ibuprofen and flurbiprofen as spray form were enrolled as study group (53), whereas patients receiving only oral ibuprofen were enrolled as control group (47) in postoperative period. Postoperative pain was evaluated through visual analogue scale on 12th hour, first, third and seventh days after surgery.

RESULTS

The mean maximal pain score of patients who have received flurbiprofen spray and ibuprofen was 3.36 ± 1.93 SD that was statistically lower than the mean maximal pain score of patients who were medicated with only ibuprofen which was 4.06 ± 1.29 SD on postoperative seventh day (P = .013).

CONCLUSION

This study revealed that addition of flurbiprofen spray to oral ibuprofen is effective in the management of postoperative pain in tonsillectomy patients with no notable complications.

Pain control following tonsillectomy in children: A survey of patients

OBJECTIVE

This prospective study aimed to survey pediatric patients and their parents after tonsillectomy to assess their pain management utilization and satisfaction.

INTRODUCTION

Tonsillectomy is the second most common surgical procedure performed in pediatric patients. Postoperative recovery is often associated with high levels of pain and severe functional limitations. There is currently no consensus on pain control regimens. Additionally, a recent FDA Black Box Warning on narcotic use has caused more uncertainty in appropriate pain control regimens.

METHODS

111 pediatric patients (≤18 years) included in this study underwent tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy between October 2013 and August 2015. Postoperatively, each patient/parent was counseled to alternate on an over-the-counter regimen of acetaminophen and ibuprofen and given an additional as-needed acetaminophen with hydrocodone prescription. A survey was administered during the patient's 2-week follow-up that included questions regarding pain levels, worst post-op pain day, pain medications taken during recovery, and patient/parental perceived satisfaction of having the acetaminophen with hydrocodone prescription.

RESULTS

84 patients/parents (75.7%) felt that OTC medications were not adequate for pain control and used hydrocodone at least once. Between those who took hydrocodone versus those who did not, there was no significant difference in mean age (6.7 ± 2.9 vs. 6.0 ± 2.4 years), percentage of patients with severe pain (36.9% vs. 22.2%) and worst post-op pain day (4.3 ± 1.5 vs. 3.9 ± 1.9 days) (p > 0.05). However, regardless of pain control regimen followed, the majority of patients/parents found it valuable to have the hydrocodone prescription (p = 0.004).

CONCLUSION

Post-tonsillectomy patients and their parents find being provided with an acetaminophen-hydrocodone prescription is therapeutically valuable, and many find it necessary in their postoperative pain management. However, further studies are needed to determine patient factors that influence narcotic utilization.

Gabapentin in the Management of Pain following Tonsillectomy: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial

Objective To determine if a single dose of oral gabapentin given prior to tonsillectomy decreases postoperative morbidity. Study Design Prospective randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Setting Southern District Health Board University Hospitals, New Zealand, over a 10-month period. Subjects and Methods Seventy-three adults undergoing tonsillectomy were randomized to receive either a single preoperative dose of oral gabapentin (600 mg) or placebo. A standard analgesic protocol was prescribed for 14 postoperative days. The primary outcome was a patient-assigned visual analog scale pain score during rest and swallow; secondary outcomes were analgesic consumption, nausea, vomiting, and return to normal diet and activities. Complications and adverse effects were also recorded. Results Thirty-seven participants were allocated to the placebo group and 36 to the gabapentin group. After withdrawals, data were analyzed from 31 in the placebo group and 27 in the gabapentin group. Pain scores between groups were not significantly different within the first 6 hours. The gabapentin group recorded significantly higher pain scores between days 5 and 10 (maximal difference, day 8: 17.6 mm; effect size, -8.87; P = .03; 95% CI, -16.883 to -0.865). There was no significant difference in swallow pain scores or early postoperative fentanyl consumption. Consumption of paracetamol ( P = .01 at day 13 and P = .004 at day 14) and codeine ( P < .05 at days 3-5, 7, 8, 10, 14) was higher in the gabapentin group. No significant difference between groups was found for the other outcomes. Conclusions Preemptive gabapentin (600 mg) was associated with greater postoperative pain scores and analgesic consumption following adult tonsillectomy when compared with placebo.

Primary Caregiver Perception of Pain Control following Pediatric Adenotonsillectomy

Objectives

To (1) review pain medications prescribed following pediatric adenotonsillectomy (T&A), (2) identify pain medications reported to be helpful, and (3) compare parent-reported outcomes among various combinations of pain medications.

Study Design

Case series with planned data collection.

Setting

Multihospital network.

Subjects and Methods

The primary caregivers of children aged 1 to 18 years who underwent isolated T&A from June to December 2014 were contacted 14 to 21 days after surgery. Data collected included pain medications prescribed, medications most helpful in controlling pain, and duration that pain medication was required. Parents rated their children’s pain on postoperative days 2, 3, 7, and 14 and reported the time to resumption of normal diet/activity, as well as any hospital return visits.

Results

The study cohort included 672 subjects of 1444 potential participants (46% response rate). The mean age of the patients was 7.9 ± 3.6 years. Narcotics were prescribed in 71.9%, and 70.4% were told to use ibuprofen. Children who took ibuprofen alone were significantly younger ( P < .001). Pain was significantly less on postoperative days 2 and 3 in the ibuprofen-only group as compared with the groups taking narcotics only ( P < .001) and ibuprofen with narcotics ( P = .002). Those taking ibuprofen alone returned to normal activity ( P < .001) and diet ( P = .026) sooner than those taking ibuprofen with narcotics. No difference was seen in pain control on subgroup analysis comparing oxycodone and hydrocodone.

Conclusions

For pediatric T&A, significant variation exists in the management of postoperative pain. Parents of children given ibuprofen reported less pain than those given narcotics with and without ibuprofen. Further studies are needed to identify the optimal pain regimen for children after T&A.

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.

Routine perioperative ketorolac administration is not associated with hemorrhage in pediatric neurosurgery patients

OBJECT NSAIDs are effective perioperative analgesics. Many surgeons are reluctant to use NSAIDs perioperatively because of a theoretical increase in the risk for bleeding events. The authors assessed the effect of routine perioperative ketorolac use on intracranial hemorrhage in children undergoing a wide range of neurosurgical procedures. METHODS A retrospective single-institution analysis of 1451 neurosurgical cases was performed. Data included demographics, type of surgery, and perioperative ketorolac use. Outcomes included bleeding events requiring return to the operating room, bleeding seen on postoperative imaging, and the development of renal failure or gastrointestinal tract injury. Variables associated with both the exposure and outcomes (p < 0.20) were evaluated as potential confounders for bleeding on postoperative imaging, and multivariable logistic regression was performed. Bivariable analysis was performed for bleeding events. Odds ratios and 95% CIs were estimated. RESULTS Of the 1451 patients, 955 received ketorolac. Multivariate regression analysis demonstrated no significant association between clinically significant bleeding events (OR 0.69; 95% CI 0.15-3.1) or radiographic hemorrhage (OR 0.81; 95% CI 0.43-1.51) and the perioperative administration of ketorolac. Treatment with a medication that creates a known bleeding risk (OR 3.11; 95% CI 1.01-9.57), surgical procedure (OR 2.35; 95% CI 1.11-4.94), and craniotomy/craniectomy (OR 2.43; 95% CI 1.19-4.94) were associated with a significantly elevated risk for radiographically identified hemorrhage. CONCLUSIONS Short-term ketorolac therapy does not appear to be associated with a statistically significant increase in the risk of bleeding documented on postoperative imaging in pediatric neurosurgical patients and may be considered as part of a perioperative analgesic regimen. Although no association was found between ketorolac and clinically significant bleeding events, a larger study needs to be conducted to control for confounding factors, because of the rarity of these events.

Perioperative ketorolac increases post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage in adults but not children

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS

To evaluate the risk of post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage associated with perioperative ketorolac use.

STUDY DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis of primary articles reporting individual-level post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage rates in subjects receiving perioperative ketorolac and matched controls. Retrospective and prospective studies were both included.

METHODS

PubMed search was performed for "[ketorolac OR toradol] AND tonsillectomy." Articles fulfilling inclusion criteria were subjected to meta-analysis to determine summary relative risk (RR).

RESULTS

Adults are at five times increased risk for post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage with ketorolac use (RR: 5.64; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.08-15.27; P < .001). In contrast, children under 18 are not at statistically significantly increased risk (RR: 1.39; 95% CI: 0.84-2.30; P = .20). Both retrospective and prospective studies yield consistent findings. There is no association of RR with pre- or postoperative administration of ketorolac.

CONCLUSIONS

Ketorolac can be used safely in children, but is associated with a five-fold increased bleeding risk in adults.

A multicenter, randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled, single dose trial of the safety and efficacy of intravenous ibuprofen for treatment of pain in pediatric patients undergoing tonsillectomy

BACKGROUND

Tonsillectomy is one of the most common pediatric procedures in the United States. An optimal perioperative pain control regimen remains a challenge. Intravenous ibuprofen administered at induction of anesthesia may be a safe and efficacious option for postoperative tonsillectomy pain.

OBJECTIVES

To determine whether preoperative administration of intravenous ibuprofen (IV-ibuprofen) can significantly decrease the number of doses of postoperative fentanyl when compared with placebo in pediatric tonsillectomy surgical patients.

METHODS

This was a multicenter, randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial conducted at six hospitals in the United States. A total of 161 pediatric patients aged 6-17 years undergoing tonsillectomy were randomized to receive either a single preoperative dose of 10 mg·kg(-1) IV-ibuprofen or placebo (normal saline). Postoperative pain was managed with intravenous fentanyl (0.5 μg·kg(-1)) on an as needed basis when the visual analog scale (VAS) was >30 mm and deemed appropriate by recovery room nurse/physician. The primary endpoint was the number of doses and amount of postoperative fentanyl administered postoperatively for rescue analgesia.

RESULTS

There was a significant reduction in the number of postoperative doses and the amount of fentanyl administered after surgery in the IV-ibuprofen group compared with the placebo group (P = 0.021). There were no differences in the time to first analgesia request or the number of patients who required postoperative analgesia. There were no significant differences in the incidence of serious adverse events, surgical blood loss (P = 0.662), incidence of postoperative bleeding, or a need for surgical re-exploration between the treatment groups.

CONCLUSION

Administration of IV-ibuprofen, 10 mg·kg(-1) , significantly reduced fentanyl use in pediatric tonsillectomy patients.

A 2013 updated systematic review & meta-analysis of 36 randomized controlled trials; no apparent effects of non steroidal anti-inflammatory agents on the risk of bleeding after tonsillectomy

BACKGROUND

Although the literature suggests that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are effective in controlling post-operative pain in the paediatric population, physicians have been reluctant to utilise these medications after tonsillectomy due to concerns of increased bleeding rates. While many surgeons prescribe opioid analgesics postoperatively, these are associated with a number of potential adverse side-effects including nausea, vomiting, constipation, excessive sedation and respiratory compromise.

OBJECTIVE OF REVIEW

To compare bleeding rates and severity between recipients of NSAIDs versus placebo or opioid analgesics for tonsillectomy.

SEARCH STRATEGY

Two authors independently searched electronic databases including PubMed, OVID, EMBASE and Cochrane Review from inception to July 2012. The keywords used included: Adenotonsillectomy, Tonsillectomy, Analgesia, Bleeding, Perioperative and Postoperative. These were then combined in various combinations with specific NSAIDs.

EVALUATION METHOD

A systematic review and meta-analysis of all randomised control trials comparing bleeding rates and severity between NSAIDs versus placebo or opioids post-tonsillectomy.

RESULTS

A total of 36 studies met our inclusion criteria including 1747 children and 1446 adults. When all of the studies were combined in a meta-analysis using the most severe outcome, there was no increased risk of bleeding in those using NSAIDs after tonsillectomy. Use of NSAIDs in general [1.30 (0.90-1.88)] or in children [1.06 (0.65-1.74)] was not associated with increased risk of bleeding in general, most severe bleeding, secondary haemorrhage, readmission or need of reoperation due to bleeding. Similarly, there was no increased bleeding risk for specific NSAIDs in adults. In the studies looking at paediatric subjects, the overall odds ratio of bleeding was even lower than in the general population and not significant. This result is based on 18 studies, six of which had zero outcomes in either treatment arm. Similar to the general population analysis, there was no significant difference in any of the subanalyses: bleeds treated with reoperation, readmission or bleeds in children that could be managed conservatively. There were also no significant differences in the subanalyses of individual NSAIDs. Similarly, there was no significant difference in rates of bleeding in the subanalysis of studies that gave NSAIDs multiple times, for instance, both before and after surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that NSAIDs can be considered as a safe method of analgesia among children undergoing tonsillectomy.

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.

The safety and efficacy of intravenous ketorolac in patients undergoing primary endoscopic sinus surgery: a randomized, double-blinded clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Ketorolac (KT) is an intravenous (IV) nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) for acute, moderate pain. KT is safe, but may be linked to increased risk of post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage. The safety and efficacy of KT following primary endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) is unknown.

METHODS

All patients underwent primary ESS and septoplasty. Patients randomly received either IVKT 30 mg or IV fentanyl (IVF) 25 μg postprocedure. Postoperative pain was recorded at 0, 30, and 60 minutes via visual analog scale (VAS), and patients received as needed fentanyl and hydrocodone/acetaminophen for additional pain. Postoperative bleeding questionnaires were completed on postoperative days 1 and 7 (POD 1 and POD 7). Preoperative and POD 7 hemoglobin was assessed.

RESULTS

A total of 34 patients enrolled in the study over 1 year. Sixteen patients received IVKT and 18 patients received IVF. The average time of administration was 23 ± 6 minutes postprocedure. There were no significant differences in preoperative and postoperative hemoglobin levels between groups and bleeding assessments. There were no incidences of postoperative hemorrhage. There was no significant difference in pain VAS between the IVKT and IVF groups (3.5, 3.2, 2.1 vs 3.0, 4.4, 3.8 at 0, 30, and 60 minutes, respectively). There was no significant difference between the number of doses of supplemental analgesics for the IVKT and IVF groups (2.0 vs 3.4 doses IV; 1.0 vs 1.4 doses orally, respectively).

CONCLUSION

In this study, IVKT was a safe analgesic in the setting of primary ESS. There was no increased risk of hemorrhage or acute blood-loss anemia. IVKT did not appear to offer statistically significant pain control over IVF.

Clinical practice guideline: tonsillectomy in children

OBJECTIVE

Tonsillectomy is one of the most common surgical procedures in the United States, with more than 530,000 procedures performed annually in children younger than 15 years. Tonsillectomy is defined as a surgical procedure performed with or without adenoidectomy that completely removes the tonsil including its capsule by dissecting the peritonsillar space between the tonsil capsule and the muscular wall. Depending on the context in which it is used, it may indicate tonsillectomy with adenoidectomy, especially in relation to sleep-disordered breathing. This guideline provides evidence-based recommendations on the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative care and management of children 1 to 18 years old under consideration for tonsillectomy. In addition, this guideline is intended for all clinicians in any setting who interact with children 1 to 18 years of age who may be candidates for tonsillectomy.

PURPOSE

The primary purpose of this guideline is to provide clinicians with evidence-based guidance in identifying children who are the best candidates for tonsillectomy. Secondary objectives are to optimize the perioperative management of children undergoing tonsillectomy, emphasize the need for evaluation and intervention in special populations, improve counseling and education of families of children who are considering tonsillectomy for their child, highlight the management options for patients with modifying factors, and reduce inappropriate or unnecessary variations in care.

RESULTS

The panel made a strong recommendation that clinicians should administer a single, intraoperative dose of intravenous dexamethasone to children undergoing tonsillectomy. The panel made a strong recommendation against clinicians routinely administering or prescribing perioperative antibiotics to children undergoing tonsillectomy. The panel made recommendations for (1) watchful waiting for recurrent throat infection if there have been fewer than 7 episodes in the past year or fewer than 5 episodes per year in the past 2 years or fewer than 3 episodes per year in the past 3 years; (2) assessing the child with recurrent throat infection who does not meet criteria in statement 2 for modifying factors that may nonetheless favor tonsillectomy, which may include but are not limited to multiple antibiotic allergy/intolerance, periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis and adenitis, or history of peritonsillar abscess; (3) asking caregivers of children with sleep-disordered breathing and tonsil hypertrophy about comorbid conditions that might improve after tonsillectomy, including growth retardation, poor school performance, enuresis, and behavioral problems; (4) counseling caregivers about tonsillectomy as a means to improve health in children with abnormal polysomnography who also have tonsil hypertrophy and sleep-disordered breathing; (5) counseling caregivers that sleep-disordered breathing may persist or recur after tonsillectomy and may require further management; (6) advocating for pain management after tonsillectomy and educating caregivers about the importance of managing and reassessing pain; and (7) clinicians who perform tonsillectomy should determine their rate of primary and secondary posttonsillectomy hemorrhage at least annually. The panel offered options to recommend tonsillectomy for recurrent throat infection with a frequency of at least 7 episodes in the past year or at least 5 episodes per year for 2 years or at least 3 episodes per year for 3 years with documentation in the medical record for each episode of sore throat and 1 or more of the following: temperature >38.3°C, cervical adenopathy, tonsillar exudate, or positive test for group A β-hemolytic streptococcus.

A telephone audit in parallel with the UK national tonsillectomy audit to investigate re-admission as a measure of secondary haemorrhage rate

OBJECTIVES

An audit to run in parallel with the remaining 5 months (at the time of conception) of the national tonsillectomy audit to examine the accuracy of re-admission following bleeding as a measure of secondary haemorrhage rate.

METHODS

A retrospective, case series audit of all patients undergoing tonsillectomy between 29th April and 1st October 2004 at Frimley Park Hospital a UK District General Hospital. One hundred and twenty-nine patients (adults and children) undergoing tonsillectomy were contacted by telephone 2 weeks after surgery. The main outcome measures were reported bleeding and re-admission. We reviewed all studies reported in the literature investigating secondary haemorrhage rate in the community.

RESULTS

This study demonstrated 19% (n=24) of patients experienced bleeding post-operatively. Ten per cent (n=13) returned to hospital for advice and were admitted. The literature review shows the variability of the proportion of patients with bleeding that are re-admitted is 33.3 standard deviations.

CONCLUSIONS

There are widely different regional re-admission rates for post-tonsillectomy secondary haemorrhage. Re-admission is an unreliable measure of secondary haemorrhage. Change of practise based on conclusions drawn from re-admission rates are unsound.

Critical care clotting catastrophies

Coagulation problems are very common in intensive care patients. It is important to recognize potential problems, perform a rapid assessment, and start therapy. The author reviews general clinical and laboratory approaches to diagnosis and treatment of the bleeding patient and to correction of coagulopathies. This review outlines a set of often catastrophic coagulation problems, which may present both thrombotic and bleeding challenges. These include heparin induced thrombocytopenia, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, and disseminated intravascular coagulation.

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.

Assessment of secondary haemorrhage rates following adult tonsillectomy - a telephone survey and literature review

Many previous studies have considered patient re-admission rates alone as the true rate of secondary haemorrhage following adult tonsillectomy. We aimed to determine the true rate of secondary haemorrhage following tonsillectomy in adults by performing a telephone interview with 60 consecutive patients. Whilst 40% (n = 24) of our patients reported a significant episode of bleeding (blood actively flowing from their mouth for more than 1 min) following discharge, only 8% (n = 5) were re-admitted and only 3% (n = 2) required return to theatre. Review of the current literature suggests that return-to-theatre rates are more consistent than hospital re-admission rates in large studies. We would suggest that although secondary haemorrhage can occasionally be very serious, the majority is minor, and it would therefore be more useful when comparing different techniques for tonsillectomy to consider numbers of patients returning to theatre rather than re-admission rates.

Beneficial effect of low-dose peritonsillar injection of lidocaine-adrenaline before tonsillectomy. A placebo-controlled clinical trial

OBJECTIVE

Most studies investigating the effect of preincisional injection of local anaesthetic with adrenaline in tonsillectomy have used rather large doses and an inter-individual study design. They are inconclusive regarding the effect on post-tonsillectomy pain but have shown that the peroperative blood loss is reduced. However, side effects to high adrenaline doses are common. In the present study, the effect of injecting a small dose of lidocaine-adrenaline was investigated by using an intra-individual study design.

METHODS

In this randomised double-blind study 52 patients (33 women and 19 men) received unilateral preincisional injection of 3-ml lidocaine-adrenaline before tonsillectomy.

RESULTS

the difference in blood loss was highly significant with a more than 50% reduction in peroperative blood loss in the infiltrated side. Time to achieve haemostasis for one tonsil side was reduced from 6.0 to 4.0 min. No side effects were observed. At the operation day (mean 4.9 h after operation), the visual analogue scale for pain at the side infiltrated with local anaesthetics was 2.78 compared to 4.00 in the control side (P=0.05).

CONCLUSION

Low-dose injection of lidocaine-adrenaline before tonsillectomy reduces blood loss and has a small but significant beneficial effect on early postoperative pain. Furthermore our results indicate that operation time is reduced. We therefore recommend subcapsular injection of 3 ml of 1% lidocaine with 1/200.000 adrenaline under each tonsil before tonsillectomy.

Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs and the risk of operative site bleeding after tonsillectomy: a quantitative systematic review

The use of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for analgesia after tonsillectomy is controversial because NSAIDS, through platelet inhibition, may increase the risk of perioperative bleeding. We systematically searched for randomized, controlled trials that reported on the incidence of perioperative bleeding attributable to the use of NSAIDs in patients undergoing tonsillectomy. As secondary outcome measures, we analyzed the quality of pain relief and the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting. Twenty-five studies with data from 970 patients receiving a NSAID and 883 receiving a non-NSAID treatment or a placebo were analyzed. Data were combined using a fixed-effect model. Of four bleeding end points (intraoperative blood loss, postoperative bleeding, hospital admission, and reoperation because of bleeding), only reoperation happened significantly more often with NSAIDs: Peto-odds ratio, 2.33 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12-4.83) and number-needed-to-treat, 60 (95% CI, 34-277). Compared with opioids, NSAIDs were equianalgesic, and the risk of emesis was significantly decreased (relative risk, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.63-0.85; numbers-needed-to-treat, 9; 95% CI, 5-19).

IMPLICATIONS

The evidence for nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs to increase the risk of bleeding after tonsillectomy is equivocal, and the risk-benefit ratio is not straightforward. There is some evidence for an increased likelihood of reoperation because of bleeding. The agenda must be one of further research rather than of clinical recommendations.

[Postoperative comfort in pediatric outpatient tonsillectomy]

OBJECTIVE

Evaluate the comfort in children after ambulatory tonsillectomy, disregarding the surgical technique and with a systematic prescription of paracetamol and codeine. The study lasted 4 days including the day of surgery.

STUDY DESIGN

[corrected] Prospective study during 5 months.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We performed a prospective study over a five-month period to evaluate the comfort in children after ambulatory tonsillectomy. Opioids were used for analgesia during surgery, morphine and propacetamol in the recovery room, and a systematic prescription of paracetamol-codeine between Day 0 to Day 3 at home. The assessment of pain was made by nurses and the family, considering 6 endpoints: spontaneous pain and when swallowing by verbal scale (0 to 4), occurrence of PONV (0 or 1), quality of sleep (0 or 1), quality of feeding (0 or 1) and play (0 or 1), combined in a global score of 0 to 12, with a score < or = 4 very satisfactory.

RESULTS

78 children were included, 49 tonsillectomy by dissection, 29 by Sluder. The score were < or = 4 at Day 0 and Day 1 in 53 children, but statistical analysis (univariate analysis) showed difference between the two surgical procedures with a global comfort score better and PONV lower with dissection procedure.

CONCLUSION

The use of paracetamol-codeine after tonsillectomy offers a reliable analgesia with very satisfactory scores of comfort. Such prescription is effective in ambulatory tonsillectomy if a rigorous selection of patients is made.

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.

Evaluation of Post-tonsillectomy Bleeding in the Adult Population

A retrospective review of a consecutive series of 685 adult patients undergoing tonsillectomy was conducted. Determinations were made of the post-tonsillectomy bleeding rate, the need for intervention to control bleeding, and the blood transfusion rate. Statistical analysis was used to determine whether bleeding rates differed according to three criteria: gender, indication for tonsillectomy, and age. Post-tonsillectomy bleeding occurred in 35 patients (5.1%); five of these patients experienced bleeding during the first 24 hours postoperatively, and the remaining 30 experienced delayed bleeding. When it occurred, the mean time lapse between tonsillectomy and bleeding was 6.9 days (±4.1). Twenty of the 35 patients (57.1%) required a procedure to control their bleeding, but no patient required a transfusion. There was no statistically significant difference in bleeding rates based on gender, the indication for surgery (chronic tonsillitis, obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, or to rule out neoplasia), and age. These results indicate that (1) post-tonsillectomy bleeding occurs in approximately 1 of 20 adults independent of individual patient characteristics, (2) more than half of patients who bleed are likely to require a procedure to control their hemorrhage, and (3) the need for transfusion is distinctly unlikely.

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.

Minimising the adverse effects of ketorolac

Gastrointestinal bleeding and perforation, platelet inhibition with altered haemostasis, and renal impairment are among the list of adverse effects associated with the administration of ketorolac. The incidence of serious adverse events has declined since dosage guidelines were revised. Most of the published literature suggests that the overall risk of gastrointestinal or operative site bleeding related to ketorolac therapy is only slightly higher than with opioids. The risk for adverse events, however, increases with high doses, with prolonged therapy (>5 days) or in vulnerable patients (e.g. the elderly). Acute renal failure has been reported after ketorolac treatment but is usually reversible after discontinuation of the drug. As with other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), ketorolac may trigger allergic or hypersensitivity reactions. Careful patient selection is essential if use of ketorolac is considered. Contraindications to ketorolac use include a history of, or current risk of, gastrointestinal bleeding, risk of renal failure, compromised haemostasis, hypersensitivity to aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) or other NSAIDs, labour, delivery and nursing. Ketorolac should be prescribed at the lowest dosage necessary to control pain; the duration of therapy should also be limited to as few days as possible. Practitioners should be familiar with, and follow, label warnings and dosage guidelines.

Intravenous analgesia

Pain and its treatment are known to have adverse effects on the organism, including deterioration in myocardial, diaphragmatic, and small bowel function. The provision of adequate intravenous analgesia, and the choice of agent, can ameliorate or exacerbate these manifestations of the stress response. The choice of agent, opioid or non-opioid, has in some respects become more difficult as more information has become available regarding the merits and adverse effects of each. Increased awareness of the frequency of hypoxemia secondary to the opioids' ability to cause an obstructive sleep apnea picture, and the cost efficiency of ketorolac through a reduction in opioid toxicity, contrast with recent studies which suggest that the gastrotoxic and nephrotoxic effects of ketorolac may occur earlier than previously suspected. The suitability of using the dissociative anesthetic agent ketamine in critically ill patients remains to be proven. Ketamine provides intense analgesia at subanesthetic doses. Its centrally mediated sympathomimetic action encourages hemodynamic stability, and it is relatively devoid of respiratory depressant activity. Increasing experience with ketamine outside the operating room has resulted in its successful use in cases of severe bronchospasm and status epilepticus.