Paediatric anaesthesia
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Jan 1998
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialExamination of acetaminophen for outpatient management of postoperative pain in children.
We have examined acetaminophen (paracetamol) dosing for outpatient management of posttonsillectomy pain in children. Forty children, 5-15 years of age, undergoing tonsillectomy and their parents were randomly assigned to use a scheduled administration of acetaminophen in weight appropriate doses, 60 mg.kg-1.24h-1 orally, 90 mg.kg-1.24h-1 rectally, or to use acetaminophen 'as needed' according to present standards (control group). Postoperative pain was assessed by the child using the poker chip tool for the first three days after discharge. ⋯ The second day after discharge 22%-64% of the children in the study group and 36%-73% of the children in the control group rated severe pain. Recommended dose ranges of acetaminophen do not provide sufficient pain relief in children following tonsillectomy. Further studies are required to determine, whether higher doses of acetaminophen or analgesics with different analgesic properties will lead to improved analgesia in children following tonsillectomy.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Jan 1998
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialA comparison of intramuscular tenoxicam with intramuscular morphine for pain relief following tonsillectomy in children.
A double blind trial was conducted to evaluate the analgesic efficacy of intramuscular tenoxicam for pain relief following tonsillectomy in children. Fifty children, aged 3-10 years, were randomly allocated to receive intramuscular tenoxicam 0.75 mg.kg-1 or intramuscular morphine sulphate 0.2 mg.kg-1 after induction of anaesthesia. ⋯ There was no difference between the quality of analgesia after discharge from recovery. The incidence of postoperative vomiting was significantly reduced after tenoxicam (20%) compared with morphine (71%).
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Jan 1998
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialPaediatric preoperative teaching: effects at induction and postoperatively.
In a randomized controlled trial at Duke University and University of North Carolina Hospitals, 143 two to six year old children undergoing elective ambulatory surgery were randomized into a control group who received routine preoperative teaching or an intervention group who received an interactive teaching book. Changes in behaviour were measured by a Vernon behavioural questionnaire preoperatively and again two weeks postoperatively. ⋯ Children who received the interactive teaching book exhibited higher levels of anxiety on the day of surgery, but fewer behavioural changes two weeks following surgery. Parents in the intervention group reported that preoperative teaching helped their child (87%) and themselves (83%).
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Jan 1998
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialTranscutaneous CO2 tension effects of clonidine in paediatric caudal analgesia.
In adults, clonidine when added to bupivacaine, results in no detectable respiratory depressant effect except when carbon dioxide challenge is performed. However, to date no investigations have quantified this in children. Twenty-four children (nine months to seven years) were randomized in a double-blind study into two groups. ⋯ The sedation score decreased with time in both groups, and the score time interval was significantly higher in the clonidine group (P < 0.05). All the patients left the recovery room with a sedation score of 1, excepting four in the clonidine group with a sedation score of 2. Clonidine 1 microgram.kg-1 with 0.25% bupivacaine mixture in caudal analgesia in children did not induce an increase in tcPCO2 despite prolonged sedation.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Jan 1998
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialTracheal intubation without neuromuscular blockade in children: a comparison of propofol combined either with alfentanil or remifentanil.
Forty healthy children, aged between two and 12 years of age undergoing elective surgery where the anaesthetic technique involved tracheal intubation followed by spontaneous ventilation were studied. Induction of anaesthesia was with either alfentanil 15 micrograms.kg-1 or remifentanil 1 microgram.kg-1 followed by propofol 4 mg.kg-1 to which lignocaine 0.2 mg.kg-1 had been added. Intubating conditions were graded on a four point scale for ease of laryngoscopy, vocal cord position, degree of coughing, jaw relaxation and limb movement. ⋯ There were no significant differences in the assessments of intubating conditions between the two groups. Arterial blood pressure and heart changes were similar in the two groups with both alfentanil and remifentanil attenuating the haemodynamic response to tracheal intubation. The time taken to resumption of spontaneous ventilation was similar in both groups.