Does Pre and Postoperative Dextromethorphan Reduce Post-tonsillectomy Pain in Children?
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2014-09-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
With Institutional ethics board and Health Canada approval, pediatric patients (ages 3-12)
undergoing tonsillectomy or adenotonsillectomy (under standardized anesthesia) will be
randomized to receive dextromethorphan hydrobromide (1mg/kg orally) 30 min preoperatively and
again 8 hours postoperatively OR placebo (syrup identical in taste, appearance and volume) at
the same time points. The primary outcome is an integrated assessment of perioperative pain
scores and opioid use for 24 hours postoperatively. Secondary outcomes include nausea,
vomiting, respiratory depression, and bleeding for 24 hours postoperatively. Our hypothesis
is that dextromethorphan will decrease the incidence/severity of post-tonsillectomy pain. The
improved pain control will be apparent through reduced opioid consumption and integrated pain
scores. This will result in a reduced incidence of opioid-related side effects and adverse
events.