• Kerem Inanoglu, B Cagla Ozbakis Akkurt, Selim Turhanoglu, Semsettin Okuyucu, and Ertap Akoglu.
• Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Mustafa Kemal University School of Medicine, Hatay, Turkey. kinanoglu@yahoo.com
• Med. Sci. Monit. 2009 Oct 1;15(10):CR539-543.

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a multimodal analgesic regimen, including intravenous ketamine and peritonsillar infiltration of bupivacaine, on post-tonsillectomy pain in children.Material/MethodsNinety children aged 2-12 years, undergoing tonsillectomy, were enrolled in this randomized, controlled and double-blinded study. Group I (n=30) received intravenous and peritonsillar saline, group II (n=30) received intravenous saline and peritonsillar bupivacaine, and group III (n=30) received intravenous 0.5 mg/kg ketamine and peritonsillar 0.25% bupivacaine (3-5 ml per tonsil). Pain was evaluated using a modified Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Pain Scale (mCHEOPS) recorded 15 min and 1, 4, 12, 16, and 24 h postoperatively.ResultsNo difference was found in the demographic data among the groups. Group I patients who received intravenous and peritonsillar saline solution as placebo had higher pain scores at 15th min, and 1st and 4th h than group II, and at all time intervals, than group III (P<0.05). Patients in group III also had significantly lower pain scores than group II at all time intervals except at 15th min (P<0.05). Analgesic requirements and the time to first analgesia were also significantly (P<0.05) better in the ketamine group.ConclusionsIntravenous ketamine and peritonsillar infiltration with bupivacaine are safe and effective as part of a multimodal regime in reducing post-tonsillectomy pain.

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