• Christopher Liu and Seckin O Ulualp.
• Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
• Ann Oto Rhinol Laryn. 2015 Oct 1;124(10):777-81.

ObjectivesTo determine the outcomes of alternating doses of ibuprofen and acetaminophen in the treatment of post-tonsillectomy pain in children and to identify characteristics of children who had inadequate pain control.MethodsThe medical records of children who received alternating doses of ibuprofen and acetaminophen for post-tonsillectomy pain between August 2012 and November 2013 at a tertiary care children's hospital were reviewed. Incidences of postoperative bleeding and unresolved pain were determined.ResultsA total of 583 patients (304 males, 279 females, age range=1-18 years) had received alternating doses of ibuprofen and acetaminophen after tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. Of the 583 patients, 56 (9.6%) reported inadequate pain control. Age, sex, obesity, presence of comorbid conditions, indications for surgery, and concurrent surgical procedures were not different between children who had adequate analgesia and children who had unresolved pain. Twenty-four patients (4.1%) had postoperative bleeding. Nine patients (1.5%) required surgical intervention for bleeding.ConclusionsAlternating doses of ibuprofen and acetaminophen provided an effective treatment for post-tonsillectomy pain in the majority of children and did not increase rate of bleeding. Means of improving response rate to alternating doses of ibuprofen and acetaminophen merit further investigation.© The Author(s) 2015.

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