Analgesic Efficacy of Repeated Doses of Intravenous (IV) Acetaminophen in Post-operative Pediatric Spine Fusion Patients

• Status: Completed
• Trial end date: 2015-07-01
• Target enrollment: 0
• Participant gender: All

Summary

This is a prospective, randomized, double-blinded, placebo controlled trial Potential subjects will be identified from the Pre-Surgical Anesthesia Clinic visit. Parents/legal guardians will be approached about study participation at the Anesthesia outpatient pre-visit. Attending Anesthesiologist will receive e-mail notification about potential subject participation the day before the scheduled surgery. Study lab (hepatic function panel) will be collected as soon as possible after anesthesia induction by anesthesia. Results will be reviewed by study team member and study drug will be ordered by study team if patient does not meet exclusion criteria. Study drug (IV acetaminophen or placebo) will be administered at the time of skin closure by anesthesia on completion of the surgical procedure (after randomization). Study drug will be administered every 6 hours for 2 days. Subjects will continue to receive standard of care with patient controlled analgesia (PCA) opiate therapy (morphine or hydromorphone) for analgesia as per the Pain Management Service. Pain scores, opiate (morphine equivalent) administered, requirements for treatment of opiate related side effects (treatment for nausea and itching), and certain post-operative characteristics will be measured for up to 4 days post-operatively (time to mobilization, time to diet advancement, time to discharge).

• Phase: Phase 3
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers?: No

Details

• Lead Sponsor: Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
• Treatments: Acetaminophen; Analgesics

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

Subjects 10-18 years who are status post anterior or posterior spine fusion surgery

Exclusion Criteria:

1. All patients requiring mechanical ventilation post-operatively, continuous infusions of sedative, or continuous infusions of alternate opiates (i.e. fentanyl)

2. Patients with hepatic dysfunction

3. Patients with chronic opiate requirements

4. Pregnant or lactating females

5. Patients placed on opiates other than morphine or hydromorphone

6. Patients with opiate or acetaminophen allergies

7. Patients placed on alternate analgesic adjuncts (i.e. ketamine, etc)

8. Patients who receive intrathecal opiates