MedPath

Prevention of POV After Paediatric Tonsillectomy

Phase 4
Completed
Conditions
Vomiting
Interventions
Device: Acupuncture
Registration Number
NCT02387918
Lead Sponsor
Assiut University
Brief Summary

Tonsillectomy is one of the most frequently performed surgical procedures in children. It remains associated with a high morbidity related to postoperative vomiting (POV), pain, risk of bleeding, and dehydration due to impaired oral intake. Current medications for POV have limited efficacy and may even be associated with potential side-effects. Non-pharmacological techniques such as acupuncture has been investigated as alternatives to antiemetics and as additional treatment modalities for POV.

Detailed Description

Postoperative vomiting (POV) is one of the most common complication in children undergoing tonsillectomy. Its incidence is between 62% and 73% when no prophylactic antiemetic is given. Because of Limited efficacy and side effects with antiemetics, many alternative treatment had been used. Acupuncture is simple, inexpensive, and noninvasive with minimal side effects. The objective of this study is to compare two prophylactic antiemetic treatments :

* Dexamethasone (0.15 mg/kg) immediately after induction of anaesthesia

* Acupuncture treatment (immediately after induction of anaesthesia and for approximately 20 minutes)

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
120
Inclusion Criteria
  • children aged 2-8 y.
  • children ASA 1-2
  • tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy
Exclusion Criteria
  • American Society of Anesthesiologists grade greater than or equal to III (patient with severe systemic disease)
  • intravenous induction
  • contraindication to steroids
  • Rash or local infection over an acupuncture point
  • administration of steroids in the 24 hours before the surgery
  • Use of medication with antiemetic effect within the 24 hours before surgery
  • Gastric or intestinal diseases
  • refusal of parents

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
AcupunctureAcupunctureAcupuncture at point Neiguan (Pericardium-6) bilaterally and at point CV13 (Shang Wen) with acupuncture needles (0.25x25 mm) to a depth of approximately 7 mm will be performed on the children immediately after induction of anaesthesia and removed after 20 minutes
DexamethasoneDexamethasonePatients will receive Intravenous dexamethasone 0.15 mg/kg immediately after induction of anesthesia.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Incidence of POV after tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy24 hours postoperatively

by 3 point ordinal scale

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Faculty of Medicine Assuit University

🇪🇬

Egypt, Assuit, Egypt

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath