MedPath

Administration of Dexamethasone in PONV Prophylaxis in Children Undergoing Adenotomy

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Nasal Obstruction
Nasopharyngeal Obstruction
Snoring
Apnea, Obstructive
Hearing Loss
Otitis
Interventions
Drug: Placebo
Drug: Dexamethasone
Registration Number
NCT03398044
Lead Sponsor
University Hospital Ostrava
Brief Summary

Adenotomy, together with tonsillectomy, belongs among the most frequently performed surgical procedures in paediatric patients. These surgical procedures are associated with the second highest incidence of post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV) (following strabism correction surgery) in paediatric surgery. PONV is associated, apart from the discomfort for the child, with a number of complications: dehydration, metabolic disruption or danger of haemorrhage and aspiration of the gastric content. Adenotomy is a typologically completely different surgical procedure, with a different target structure of the surgery, and the length and invasiveness of the procedure. Thus, it is possible to expect a difference in PONV incidence when compared to tonsillectomy. Adenotomy is a surgical procedure performed namely in children of the pre-school age. This is associated, among others, also with the problem of objectivization of post-operative nausea, which is very difficult to verbalize in small children, being a subjective feeling of body discomfort. It is possible to expect that the overall incidence of PONV will be significantly underestimated.

Detailed Description

Randomization The study subjects were randomized into two arms, using computer-generated sequence of binary code: interventional arm with dexamethasone administration and control group with a placebo - physiological solution. Anaesthesiology nurse, who was not a part of the research team, randomly selected a vial for each enrolled patient, which was later administered to the patient. The number of the ampule corresponded with the patient's number.

Standardized anaesthesiology protocol General anaesthesia was administered in every paediatric patient according to a standardized anaesthesiology protocol. Each subject received premedication with midazolam in the dose of 0.5 mg/kg of body weight, per orally, 45 minutes before the surgical procedure. Inhalation induction of general anaesthesia was initiated with Sevoflurane, the vaporizer was set to 8%, using the carrying mixture of gases O2/air in the 1:1 ratio. After induction of anaesthesia, peripheral venous line was secured, with subsequent administration of an opioid - Sufentanil in the dose of 0.2 uq/kg of body weight, together with the research drug in the dose of 0.15mg/kg of body weight, with the maximum dose of 4 mg administered intravenously. The airways were secured in accordance with standard procedures used at our centre - armed laryngeal mask. In case of any leakages, air leaks, or any other problems with the laryngeal mask, the airways were secured with orotracheal intubation and introduction of tamponade into hypopharynx. General anaesthesia was further maintained using Sevoflurane, towards the values of MAC 1.2-1.5. Fluid therapy was guided by the 4/2/1 ml/kg of body weight /hr. rule - using Ringer's solution. Each subject was given standard analgetization for the early post-operative period: Paracetamol in the dose of 15mg/kg of body weight i.v. in the course of 10 minutes of the surgical procedure. Standard monitoring was provided for every patient: ECG, measurement of blood pressure, saturation, capnometry, inspiration and expiration Sevoflurane concentrations. After the surgery, every patient was woken up from anaesthesia, the laryngeal mask was removed (extubation) with spontaneous ventilation, the patient was further transferred to PACU.

Data collection Anaesthesiology team (anaesthetist + nurse), who was responsible for administration of general anaesthesia according to the standardized protocol, and who was trained to perform the study according to the study protocol, recorded the data concerning Dexamethasone/Placebo administration into a special Case Report Form, containing identification and number of the study drug. The form was transferred together with the patient to PACU, where the occurrence of PONV was monitored and recorded, together with the first value of the BARF score, by a PACU nurse and the child's parent. The form concerning the incidence PONV at inpatient department was provided for the parent who was present at the bedside of the patient at all times, up to the child's discharge from the hospital - the parent noted the number of vomiting episodes and BARF score 8 hours after the surgery (late BARF score); the parent was further instructed to ask the child ever 2 hours about possible sickness. In case of vomiting, the time and number of vomiting episodes were recorded.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
200
Inclusion Criteria
  • Age (3-15 years)
  • Signed informed consent by legal representatives of the child and patients (depending on the patient's age)
  • Patients indicated for surgical procedure: adenotomy
Read More
Exclusion Criteria
  • ASA III and more
  • Chronic medication: corticosteroids
  • Malignant disease
Read More

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
PlaceboPlaceboPatients randomised into the control Placeboarm will be administered placebo during anaesthesia induction.
DexamethasoneDexamethasonePatients randomised into the Dexamethasone arm will be administered active studied drug during anaesthesia induction.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
PONV incidence24 months

To determine, whether Dexamethasone administered in single prophylactic dose of 0.15mg/kg of body weight of the child, after general anaesthesia induction, statistically significantly decreases the incidence of PONV in paediatric patients at the age between 3 and 15 undergoing adenotomy

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Nausea incidence24 months

To assess the incidence of nausea in children using BARF score and monitoring of possible difference between the interventional and control groups

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University Hospital Ostrava

🇨🇿

Ostrava, Moravian-Silesian Region, Czechia

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath