Analgesia for paediatric tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy with intramuscular clonidine.
BACKGROUND
After undergoing tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy (T&A), children may experience significant pain. Clonidine, an alpha2 agonist, exhibits significant analgesic properties. The current investigation sought to determine whether intramuscular (I.M.) clonidine would decrease pain in paediatric patients undergoing T&A.


METHODS
Thirty-nine children undergoing elective T&A were studied. Following inhalational anaesthetic induction, fentanyl (2 microg x kg(-1)) was given intravenously, acetaminophen (paracetamol) (30 mg.kg-1) was given rectally and the children then randomly received an i.m. injection of either normal saline or clonidine (2 microg x kg(-1)). Perioperative analgesic requirements in the postanaesthesia care unit and at home following hospital discharge were evaluated.


RESULTS
There were no significant demographic, analgesic consumption, haemodynamic or pain score differences between the groups.


CONCLUSIONS
We do not recommend adding i.m. clonidine (2 microg x kg(-1)) to the analgesic regimen of children undergoing tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy.
D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000233:Adenoidectomy; D000285:Administration, Rectal; D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures; D000700:Analgesics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003000:Clonidine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005283:Fentanyl / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014068:Tonsillectomy
D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D000700:Analgesics; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D000082:Acetaminophen; D003000:Clonidine; D005283:Fentanyl