Comparative Effectiveness of Analgesia for Early Pain Management After Pediatric Tonsillectomy: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Timely and effective analgesia after tonsillectomy in children is crucial, but there is currently no consensus on the optimal analgesics. This analysis aimed to identify the most effective for this surgery.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review and network meta-analysis (random-effects model) of randomized controlled trials comparing analgesics for pediatric tonsillectomy. We searched relevant studies in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases from database inception until June 30, 2023. Children (≤18 years old) who underwent tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy were eligible for inclusion. Primary outcomes encompassed pain score and postoperative complications; secondary outcomes included postoperative supplementary analgesia, functional evaluation, and sedation score.

RESULTS

In total 82 randomized controlled trials involving 6110 patients were included, forming the primary network that comprised comparative data for 16 different interventions (including placebo) across 6 types of analgesics. The integrated analysis revealed that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs except ketoprofen had no significant effects in relieving postoperative pain (mean difference [MD], -2.96; 95% confidence interval [CI], -5.59 to -0.32; P = .10). Local anesthetic infiltration (bupivacaine: MD, -2.76; 95% CI, -3.88 to -1.64, P = .01; ropivacaine: MD, -2.49; 95% CI, -4.25 to -0.73, P = .02; lidocaine: MD, -1.86; 95% CI,-3.52 to -0.2, P = .02; levobupivacaine: MD, -1.06; 95% CI, -2.00 to -0.12, P = .01), analgesics (morphine: MD, -2.07; 95% CI, -3.14 to -1.00; P = .02), and glucocorticoids (dexamethasone: MD, -0.45; 95% CI, -0.73 to -0.16; P = .01) were effective in relieving pain after pediatric tonsillectomy. In reducing incidence of postoperative complications, dexamethasone was superior to bupivacaine (relative risk [RR], 0.60; 95% CI, 0.43-0.83; P = .02). Regarding the number of patients needing rescue analgesic, levobupivacaine was superior to lidocaine (RR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.32-0.81; P = .01). In rescue analgesia requirement, morphine outperformed lidocaine (RR, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.25-0.75; P = .01) and ropivacaine (RR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.32-0.91; P = .01) in efficacy but not different from bupivacaine (P = .10) and levobupivacaine (P = .12).

CONCLUSIONS

Based on these results, we would recommend local bupivacaine infiltration or local levobupivacaine infiltration for older children and dexamethasone injection for younger children for early analgesia after tonsillectomy. However, clinicians should choose the optimal analgesic based on the individual child's condition and clinical situation.

Analgesic Efficacy of Ropivacaine Infiltration on Early Post-Tonsillectomy Pain in Pediatrics

OBJECTIVE

To assess the analgesic efficacy of ropivacaine infiltration in the tonsillar fossa among pediatric patients undergoing tonsillectomy.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and CENTRAL.

REVIEW METHODS

Eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were assessed for bias using Cochrane's risk of bias tool (version 2). Our primary outcome was postoperative pain within 24 h, and secondary outcomes included operative time, intraoperative blood loss, time to first analgesia, bleeding, and nausea/vomiting. Data were pooled as mean difference, standardized mean difference, and risk ratio with a 95% confidence interval.

RESULTS

Our review included 11 RCTs, with a total of 712 patients. The quality of studies varied and included low risk (n = 8 RCTs), some concerns (n = 2 RCTs), and high risk (n = 1 RCT) of bias. The primary endpoint of postoperative pain across all time points was significantly reduced in the ropivacaine group compared with the placebo group. Trial sequential analysis (TSA) of the postoperative pain depicted conclusive evidence and unnecessity for further RCTs. The mean operative time was significantly reduced in the ropivacaine group compared with the placebo group. However, there was no significant difference between both groups regarding additional clinical (i.e., mean intraoperative blood loss and mean time to first analgesia) and safety (i.e., rates of bleeding and nausea/vomiting) outcomes.

CONCLUSION

This systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrated the safety and postoperative analgesic efficacy of ropivacaine versus placebo among pediatric patients undergoing tonsillectomy. There was no significant difference between both groups regarding intraoperative blood loss, time to first analgesia, and rate of postoperative bleeding.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

1 Laryngoscope, 134:3018-3029, 2024.

Suprazygomatic Maxillary Nerve Blocks and Opioid Requirements in Pediatric Adenotonsillectomy: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance

Pain management following pediatric adenotonsillectomies is opioid-inclusive, leading to potential complications.

Objective

To investigate the use of suprazygomatic maxillary nerve (SZMN) blocks to reduce pain and opioid use after pediatric intracapsular adenotonsillectomy and to measure recovery duration and incidence of complications.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This was a randomized, blinded, prospective single-center tertiary pediatric hospital that included 60 pediatric patients (2-14 years old) scheduled for intracapsular adenotonsillectomy from November 2021 to March 2023. Patients were excluded for having combined surgical procedures, developmental delay, coagulopathy, chronic pain history, known or predicted difficult airway, or unrepaired congenital heart disease. Participants were randomized to receive bilateral SZMN blocks (block group) or not (control group).

Intervention

SZMN block administered bilaterally under general anesthesia for intracapsular adenotonsillectomy.

Primary Outcomes and Measures

Opioid consumption, FLACC (Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability) scores, and rates of opioid-free postanesthesia care unit (PACU) stay. Secondary outcomes were recovery duration and incidence of adverse effects, ie, nausea, vomiting, block site bleeding, and emergency delirium.

Results

The study population included 53 pediatric patients (mean [SD] age, 6.5 [3.6] years; 29 [55%] females; 24 [45%] males); 26 were randomly assigned to the SZMN block group and 27 to the control group. The mean (SD) opioid morphine equivalent consumption during PACU stay was 0.15 (0.14) mg/kg for the 27 patients in the control group compared with 0.07 (0.11) mg/kg for the 26 patients in the block group (mean difference, 0.08; 95% CI, 0.01-0.15; Cohen d, 0.64). The block group had a higher incidence of opioid-free PACU stays (n = 7 patients; 58%) compared with the control group (n = 15 patients; 26%) (mean difference, 32%; 95% CI, 5%-53%). Patients in the block group experienced lower FLACC scores (0.7 vs 1.6; mean difference, 0.9; 95% CI, 0.2-1.6; Cohen d, 0.7). The overall occurrence of adverse events was similar in the 2 groups, with no reported nerve block-related complications.

Conclusions and Relevance

The results of the randomized clinical trial indicate that SZMN blocks are a useful adjunct tool for managing postoperative pain in pediatric intracapsular adenotonsillectomy. Use of these blocks during adenotonsillectomy provided clinically meaningful reductions of postoperative opioid consumption with a low risk of complications.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04797559.

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.

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.

The Effect of Pre-Emptive Analgesia on the Postoperative Pain in Pediatric Otolaryngology: A Randomized, Controlled Trial

The aim of this randomized, controlled trial was to determine whether children undergoing otolaryngological procedures (adenoidectomy, adenotonsillotomy, or tonsillectomy) benefit from pre-emptive analgesia in the postoperative period. Methods: Fifty-five children were assessed for eligibility for the research. Four children refused to participate during the first stage of the study, leaving fifty-one (n = 51) to be randomly assigned either to receive pre-emptive analgesic acetaminophen (15 mg/kg; n = 26) or a placebo (n = 25) in addition to midazolam (0.5 mg/kg) as premedication. All children were anesthetized with sevoflurane, propofol (2−4 mg/kg), and fentanyl (2 mcg/kg). Postoperative pain was assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), the Wong−Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale, and the Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, and Consolability (FLACC) scale. The postoperative pain was measured 1, 2, 4, and 6 h after the surgery. Results: The clinical trial reported a statistically significant correlation between administering pre-emptive analgesia (acetaminophen) and reducing pain in children after otolaryngological procedures compared to placebo. The ratio of boys to girls and age were similar among the groups (p > 0.05), so the groups of children were not divided by gender or age. Conclusions: Standard pre-emptive analgesia reduced the severity of pain in the postoperative period after otolaryngological procedures in children. Acetaminophen given before surgery reduces postoperative pain in children undergoing otolaryngological procedures.

#10-Year Challenge: Local anaesthetic for post-tonsillectomy pain: Update meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Adequate management of post-tonsillectomy pain is an important consideration in postoperative management after tonsillectomy. A 2008 meta-analysis showed that the use of local anaesthetic either by infiltration or topical application reduced postoperative pain.

OBJECTIVES

To review the current evidence for the use of local anaesthetic as a means of reducing post-tonsillectomy pain and compare current evidence to the previous meta-analysis 10 years ago.

METHOD

Systematic literature searches of MEDLINE [*"ANESTHETICS, LOCAL"/ AND *TONSILLECTOMY/], EMBASE [*"LOCAL ANESTHETIC AGENT"/ AND *TONSILLECTOMY/] and PubMed [(Tonsillectomy).ti,ab AND (Local Anaesthetic).ti,ab OR (Local Anesthetic).ti,ab]. A meta-analysis of randomised control trials assessing the use of local anaesthetic agents for post-tonsillectomy pain.

RESULTS

Twenty-three studies were included in the meta-analysis. Overall, local anaesthetic, applied topically or infiltrated, significantly reduces pain scores compared with controls at 4-6 hours [-0.65 (95% CI: -0.77; -0.53)]; 24 hours [-0.50 (95% CI: -0.66, -0.35)]; and 5-7 days [-0.78 (95% CI: -0.90, -0.65)] (standardised mean differences).

CONCLUSION

Current studies suggest that use of peri-operative local anaesthetic during tonsillectomy does improve postoperative pain outcomes. The limitations of the analysis are as follows: all studies are small, and a multi-centred larger trial is recommended to guarantee statistical reliability. There was no description of significant adverse side effects from local anaesthetic use.

Postoperative pain management in children: Guidance from the pain committee of the European Society for Paediatric Anaesthesiology (ESPA Pain Management Ladder Initiative)

The main remit of the European Society for Paediatric Anaesthesiology (ESPA) Pain Committee is to improve the quality of pain management in children. The ESPA Pain Management Ladder is a clinical practice advisory based upon expert consensus to help to ensure a basic standard of perioperative pain management for all children. Further steps are suggested to improve pain management once a basic standard has been achieved. The guidance is grouped by the type of surgical procedure and layered to suggest basic, intermediate, and advanced pain management methods. The committee members are aware that there are marked differences in financial and personal resources in different institutions and countries and also considerable variations in the availability of analgesic drugs across Europe. We recommend that the guidance should be used as a framework to guide best practice.

Pre-emptive peritonsillar infiltration of magnesium sulphate and ropivacaine vs. ropivacaine or magnesium alone for relief of post-adenotonsillectomy pain in children

OBJECTIVES

The randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study evaluated the administration of local infiltration of magnesium combined with ropivacaine to reduce pain scores after pediatric adenotonsillectomy.

METHODS

Sixty one subjects received 5ml solution contained 0.25% ropivacaine plus 5mg/kg magnesium sulphate (Group M+R), 5ml 0.25% ropivacaine (Group R) or 5ml solution contained 5mg/kg magnesium sulphate (Group M). Pain scores in the ward and at home, analgesics received after operation and the adverse effects were recorded.

RESULTS

Compared with group M, patients in group M+R and group R had lower pain scores, less emergence agitation and increased time for first analgesic request. Group M+R had no benefit in reducing pain scores after adenotonsillectomy compared with group R.

CONCLUSIONS

Pre-emptive peritonsillar infiltration of magnesium sulphate 5mg/kg combined with 0.25% ropivacaine couldn't improve analgesia for pediatric adenotonsillectomy compared with 0.25% ropivacaine alone. However, Group M+R had less incidence of emergence agitation. Compared with group M, both of group M+R and group R had better postoperative analgesia.

Preemptive Submucosal Infiltration with Ropivacaine for Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty

Objective

To evaluate the preemptive analgesic effect of submucosal infiltration of ropivacaine for uvulopalatopharyngoplasty.

Study Design

Randomized controlled trial.

Setting

Comprehensive clinical center and academic hospital.

Subjects and Methods

Fifty consecutive male patients scheduled for uvulopalatopharyngoplasty were divided randomly into group A and group B. In group A, 4 mL of 0.33% ropivacaine and normal saline with epinephrine was preincisionally injected under the mucosa on both sides of the tonsillar fossa, soft palate, and the lower part of palatoglossal arch, whereas the upper and middle parts of the palatoglossal arch and the upper part of the palatopharyngeal arch were infiltrated with 2 mL of the same mixture. In group B, an identical volume of normal saline with epinephrine was administered. In both groups, postoperative pain was initially controlled by intravenous morphine titration until patient-controlled analgesia with morphine could be used. Cumulative patient-controlled analgesic morphine consumption; visual analog scale scores at 4, 8, 12, 24, and 48 hours postoperatively at rest and during swallowing; and opioid-related adverse effects were recorded.

Results

The visual analog score was lower at rest during the 48-hour postoperative period and during swallowing within the first 12 hours for group A versus group B ( P < .05). Patients in group A required 44.1%, 38.2%, and 41.1% less morphine during the first 24 hours, 24 hours to 48 hours, and 48 hours postoperatively, respectively, and fewer patients experienced nausea, vomiting, and pruritus ( P < .05).

Conclusion

Preemptive submucosal infiltration with 0.33% ropivacaine effectively controlled pain after uvulopalato-pharyngoplasty.

Pain management for pediatric tonsillectomy: an integrative review through the perioperative and home experience

PURPOSE

This integrative review aims to increase our understanding of current pain management care practices for children undergoing tonsillectomy.

CONCLUSIONS

Synthesis of the literature resulted in four main opportunities for care providers to manage pain: preoperative education and preparation, intraoperative surgical interventions, and postoperative pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions in the post anesthesia care unit and home settings.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Nurses have many opportunities to understand pain management practices and intervene to minimize pain experienced in pediatric outpatients undergoing tonsillectomy.

Comparison of ropivacaine, bupivacaine and lidocaine in the management of post-tonsillectomy pain

OBJECTIVES

To compare the efficacy of preoperative peritonsillar injection of ropivacaine, bupivacaine and lidocaine for pediatric tonsillectomy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between March 2009 and April 2012, 120 patients (66 males and 54 females) between ages of 4 and 13 years were included to the study. After informed consent was obtained from the parents, the patients were randomized into four groups. In Group 1 (31 patients, mean age 8.40 ± 4.05 years) received topical lidocaine hydrochloride with 1:100,000 epinephrine was applied to surgical bed following tonsillectomy. Group 2 (29 patients, mean age 8.15 ± 4.20 years) and group 3 (31 patients, mean age 7.75 ± 3.95 years) were administered 0.25% bupivacaine hydrochloride with 1:200,000 epinephrine and 0.5% ropivacaine respectively. In Group 4 (29 patients, mean age 8.15 ± 4.20 years) topical 0.9% saline was used. The operation time, postoperative pain, amount of intraoperative blood loss, postoperative hemorrhage and complications were assessed. The intensity of pain was scored on a visual analogue scale. The patients were followed up for 3 weeks after surgery.

RESULTS

The difference between mean operative time of the three groups against saline injected group was statistically significant (p<0.001). The difference between mean intraoperative blood loss of the lidocaine group against three groups was statistically significant (p<0.001). None of the patients in four groups experienced primary and secondary hemorrhage. The difference between mean pain score between ropovacaine and bupivacaine groups was not statistically significant (p>0.001). The difference between mean pain score of the two groups against lidocaine and saline groups was statistically significant (p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Ropivacaine infiltration is as effective as bupivacaine for post-tonsillectomy pain management in children. In view of potential side effects of bupivacaine-epinephrin combination, ropivacaine is a safer choice, for post-tonsillectomy pain relief.

A systematic review of faces scales for the self-report of pain intensity in children

CONTEXT

Numerous faces scales have been developed for the measurement of pain intensity in children. It remains unclear whether any one of the faces scales is better for a particular purpose with regard to validity, reliability, feasibility, and preference.

OBJECTIVES

To summarize and systematically review faces pain scales most commonly used to obtain self-report of pain intensity in children for evaluation of reliability and validity and to compare the scales for preference and utility.

METHODS

Five major electronic databases were systematically searched for studies that used a faces scale for the self-report measurement of pain intensity in children. Fourteen faces pain scales were identified, of which 4 have undergone extensive psychometric testing: Faces Pain Scale (FPS) (scored 0-6); Faces Pain Scale-Revised (FPS-R) (0-10); Oucher pain scale (0-10); and Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale (WBFPRS) (0-10). These 4 scales were included in the review. Studies were classified by using psychometric criteria, including construct validity, reliability, and responsiveness, that were established a priori.

RESULTS

From a total of 276 articles retrieved, 182 were screened for psychometric evaluation, and 127 were included. All 4 faces pain scales were found to be adequately supported by psychometric data. When given a choice between faces scales, children preferred the WBFPRS. Confounding of pain intensity with affect caused by use of smiling and crying anchor faces is a disadvantage of the WBFPRS.

CONCLUSIONS

For clinical use, we found no grounds to switch from 1 faces scale to another when 1 of the scales is in use. For research use, the FPS-R has been recommended on the basis of utility and psychometric features. Data are sparse for children below the age of 5 years, and future research should focus on simplified measures, instructions, and anchors for these younger children.

Do diet and activity restrictions influence recovery after adenoidectomy and partial tonsillectomy?

OBJECTIVE

To determine if restrictions of postoperative diet concerning hard food and hot drinks as well as excessive physical exertion influence recovery during 14 days after T&A surgery.

METHODS

800 patients aged 3-13 years (median 6) underwent curette adenoidectomy with or without scissors tonsillotomy. 413 adenoidectomies and 387 adenotonsillotomies were performed. Caregivers of the children completed a questionnaire reporting their child's postoperative activity, diet, pain level, peak and duration, episodes of nausea and fever, medication and caregivers' satisfaction scores. The children were enrolled to food and effort restricted (FER), food non-restricted (FnR), effort non-restricted (EnR), and food and effort non-restricted (FEnR) groups at the end of follow-up.

RESULTS

Two hemorrhages requiring repeat surgery under general anesthesia in FER group and 42 mild episodes of spontaneously subsiding bleeding from nose or mouth occurred. More than one episodes of hemorrhage were observed in other 8 individuals (total incidence of hemorrhages 9.7%). No hemorrhages were noted in the FEnR and FnR groups. There were 23 (4.4%) participants with episodes of bleeding, among them 21 mild hemorrhages, in the FER group and 21 (12.0%) in the EnR group (p<0.001). Peak pain level was lowest in FEnR group (p<0.001) and indications for antibiotics most frequent in FnR group (p<0.001). Parental satisfaction level was highest in FnR and FEnR groups (p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of caregivers reported care of children after T&A surgery according to the instructions. Most frequently disobeyed instructions were those concerning physical exertion. Diet and activity restrictions seem to influence postoperative recovery. Parental satisfaction scores were highest in non-restricted groups.