Ropivacaine peritonsillar infiltration for analgesia after adenotonsillectomy in children: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
OBJECTIVE
Our randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluates the possible benefit of peritonsillar infiltration with 0.75% ropivacaine hydrochloride on the pain level after adenotonsillectomy in 3- to 7-year-old children.


METHODS
We randomly administered intraoperative peritonsillar infiltration with 0.2 mL/kg ropivacaine 0.75% (group R) or 0.2 mL/kg saline 0.9% (group F) to sixty 3- to 7-year-old children (ASA 1 or 2) who were undergoing adenotonsillectomy. Postoperative pain was assessed 6 and 24 hours after surgery by a 6-face Faces Pain Scale that allowed quantification of pain on a 100-mm horizontal line (0 = no pain). The number of rectal doses of acetaminophen-codeine required during the first postoperative day was recorded.


RESULTS
The pain scores did not differ between the groups, either 6 or 24 hours after surgery (group F, 43 +/- 26, versus group R, 29 +/- 23, and group F, 24 +/- 23, versus group R, 30 +/- 28, respectively). Acetaminophen-codeine doses were similarly required in the two groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Peritonsillar infiltration with 0.75% ropivacaine does not provide any major postoperative analgesic effect in 3- to 7-year-old children after adenotonsillectomy. A possible clinically minor analgesia 6 hours after surgery is suggested.
Gemma
Marco
M
Anesthesia and Intensive Care Unit for Head and Neck Surgery, Scientific Institute Hospital S. Raffaele, Milan, Italy.
Piccioni
Lucia Oriella
LO
Gioia
Luigi
L
Beretta
Luigi
L
Bussi
Mario
M
D000233:Adenoidectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000577:Amides / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D007430:Intraoperative Care; D008297:Male; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D000077212:Ropivacaine; D014068:Tonsillectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*
D000577:Amides; D000700:Analgesics; D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D000077212:Ropivacaine