Impact of a revised postoperative care plan on pain and recovery trajectory following pediatric tonsillectomy

A previous cohort of adenotonsillectomy patients at our institution demonstrated moderate-severe post-tonsillectomy pain scores lasting a median (range) duration of 6 (0-23) days and postdischarge nausea and vomiting affecting 8% of children on day 1 following surgery. In this subsequent cohort, we evaluate the impact of changes to our discharge medication and parental education on post-tonsillectomy pain and recovery profile.

Citation:
Lagrange C, Jepp C, Slevin L, Drake-Brockman TFE, ....... von Ungern-Sternberg BS, Sommerfield D. Impact of a revised postoperative care plan on pain and recovery trajectory following pediatric tonsillectomy. Paediatr Anaesth. 2021.

Keywords:
PONV; acute pain; child; otolaryngology; quality improvement

Abstract:
A previous cohort of adenotonsillectomy patients at our institution demonstrated moderate-severe post-tonsillectomy pain scores lasting a median (range) duration of 6 (0-23) days and postdischarge nausea and vomiting affecting 8% of children on day 1 following surgery. In this subsequent cohort, we evaluate the impact of changes to our discharge medication and parental education on post-tonsillectomy pain and recovery profile.