The effectiveness of clonidine as an analgesic in paediatric adenotonsillectomy.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the analgesic effects of preoperative oral clonidine with intraoperative intravenous fentanyl in children undergoing tonsillectomy or adenotonsillectomy.


METHODS
This randomized, controlled, double-blind study of 36 ASA I-II children, age 7-12 yr undergoing adenotonsillectomy was conducted at a tertiary care paediatric teaching hospital. Either 4 micrograms.kg-1 clonidine po was given 60-90 min preoperatively or 3 micrograms.kg-1 fentanyl i.v. was given intraoperatively. Postoperatively visual analog pain scores (VAS) were recorded at rest and on swallowing every 10 min for the first 30 min and then every 15 min for two hours. Morphine 0.05 mg.kg-1 i.v. was given for VAS > or = 5. If > 3 doses were required, 1.5 mg.kg-1 codeine po and 20 mg.kg-1 acetaminophen po were given. Sedation and anxiety scores were recorded preoperatively. Haemodynamic changes, blood loss, recovery scores, and the incidence of vomiting, hypotension, and airway obstruction were recorded.


RESULTS
Children who received clonidine had a higher incidence of preoperative sedation (63%) than those receiving fentanyl (6%). Preinduction mean arterial pressure was lower in the clonidine group but required no intervention. VAS scores were similar throughout the observation period. There was no difference either in the number of morphine or codeine rescue doses administered or in the incidence of side effects.


CONCLUSIONS
Oral clonidine is an effective analgesic and sedative for children undergoing tonsillectomy or adenotonsillectomy.
Reimer
E J
EJ
Department of Anaesthesia, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. elreimer@interchange.ubc.ca
Dunn
G S
GS
Montgomery
C J
CJ
Sanderson
P M
PM
Scheepers
L D
LD
Merrick
P M
PM
D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000233:Adenoidectomy; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000700:Analgesics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002648:Child; D003000:Clonidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003061:Codeine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003243:Consciousness / Q000187:drug effects; D003679:Deglutition / Q000502:physiology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005283:Fentanyl / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007430:Intraoperative Care; D008297:Male; D009020:Morphine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011292:Premedication; D014068:Tonsillectomy
D000700:Analgesics; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D000082:Acetaminophen; D009020:Morphine; D003000:Clonidine; D005283:Fentanyl; D003061:Codeine