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Ropivacaine peritonsillar infiltration for analgesia after adenotonsillectomy in children: a randomized,

Marco Gemma1, Lucia Oriella Piccioni, Luigi Gioia

  • 1Anesthesia and Intensive Care Unit for Head and Neck Surgery, Scientific Institute Hospital S. Raffaele, Milan, Italy.

The Annals of Otology, Rhinology, and Laryngology
|April 21, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Peritonsillar infiltration with ropivacaine did not significantly reduce pain after adenotonsillectomy in children. This study found no major postoperative analgesic effect, though minor pain relief may occur at 6 hours.

Area of Science:

  • Anesthesiology
  • Pediatric Surgery

Background:

  • Adenotonsillectomy is a common pediatric surgical procedure.
  • Effective postoperative pain management is crucial for recovery in children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of peritonsillar infiltration with ropivacaine for postoperative pain relief after adenotonsillectomy in children aged 3-7 years.
  • To compare pain levels and analgesic requirements between ropivacaine and placebo groups.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study involving sixty children (3-7 years old) undergoing adenotonsillectomy.
  • Intraoperative peritonsillar infiltration with either 0.75% ropivacaine or saline.
  • Postoperative pain assessment using the Faces Pain Scale at 6 and 24 hours, and recording of acetaminophen-codeine doses.

Main Results:

  • No significant difference in pain scores was observed between the ropivacaine and saline groups at 6 or 24 hours post-surgery.
  • The number of acetaminophen-codeine doses required was similar in both groups.

Conclusions:

  • Peritonsillar infiltration with 0.75% ropivacaine does not provide a significant postoperative analgesic effect in children undergoing adenotonsillectomy.
  • A potential, though minor, analgesic effect may be present at 6 hours post-surgery.
Abstract

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