Opioid & Steroid Use Following Tonsillectomy in Pediatric Patients
Status:
Enrolling by invitation
Trial end date:
2022-07-30
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
The purpose of this study is to determine if a post-operative course of oral dexamethasone
affects opioid usage in pediatric patients undergoing tonsillectomy.
Patients who are scheduled to undergo tonsillectomy or adenotonsillectomy are randomized to
receive either 1) a post-operative steroid course of oral dexamethasone in addition opioids,
acetaminophen,NSAIDs or 2) opioids/acetaminophen/NSAIDS alone. All drugs are prescribed per
approved FDA labeling. Children between the ages of 4-17 will be considered for enrollment.
Participants (or with the aid of parents/legal guardian for subjects unable to complete on
their own) will complete a diary twice a day to record pain medication administration and
visual pain scale. Remaining steroid and opioid medication will be measured at the routine
post-operative appointment that occurs 4 - 6 weeks following surgery.