• Austin N DeHart, Jessica Potter, Justin Anderson, Iolanda Russo-Menna, Jong Hyung Lee, Derek A Chapman, and Kelley M Dodson.
• Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Virginia Commonwealth University Health System, Richmond, VA, United States of America.
• Am J Otolaryngol. 2019 May 1; 40 (3): 382-388.

ImportancePediatric tonsillectomy is a common procedure now being performed most often for patients with obstructive sleep apnea, which has been associated with increased sensitivity to the respiratory side effects of opioid medications. This study investigates a strategy to decrease the use of opiate medications in a particularly vulnerable population.ObjectiveDescribe an interdisciplinary approach between Otolaryngologists and Anesthesiologists to decrease opiate use in tonsillectomy patients. Demonstrate safety of this protocol. Evaluate the effect of the protocol on intraoperative need for opiate medications and inhaled anesthetic use. Perform cost analysis of the protocol.DesignRetrospective case-control study with cost analysis.SettingTertiary Care Hospital.ParticipantsPediatric patients undergoing tonsillectomy at a tertiary care hospital.InterventionsPreoperative and intraoperative dexmedetomidine with local bupivacaine injection into the tonsillar fossa.MeasuresIntraoperative need for sevoflurane, opiate, and propofol. Post-operative pain scores, and utilization of post-operative opiate, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen pain medications. Post-operative adverse events. Cost analysis of protocol.ResultsThis protocol led to a decrease in intraoperative opiate use by 49.6%, a decrease in intraoperative sevofluorane use by 18%, and a lower reported maximum post-operative pain score without any increase in adverse events. The protocol added a small increase in medication cost of $4.07 to each procedure.ConclusionThe use of dexmedetomidine and local anesthetic in pediatric tonsillectomy is a safe and effective protocol that allows for the reduction of opiate use and improved post-operative pain control.Key PointsQuestion: Can the combination of dexmedetomidine and infiltration of local anesthetic reduce overall opioid use for peediatric patients undergoing tonsillectomy?FindingsIn this case-control study, use of dexmedetomidine and local anesthetic injected into the tonsillar fossa led to a decrease in intraoperative opiate use by 49.6%, a decrease in intraoperative sevofluorane use by 18%, and a lower reported maximum pain score without an increase in adverse events. Meaning: Use of dexmedetomidine and local anesthetic as anesthetic adjuncts may help reduce need for intraoperative opiates and decrease the use of volatile anesthetic agents in pediatric tonsillectomy patients, which are undesirable medications in the pediatric population for their respective respiratory depression and potentially neurotoxic side effects.Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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