Pre-emptive peritonsillar infiltration of magnesium sulphate and ropivacaine vs. ropivacaine or magnesium alone for relief of post-adenotonsillectomy pain in children.

Published in Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2015 Apr;79(4):499-503

Authors; Sun J et al

OBJECTIVES:

The randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study evaluated the administration of local infiltration of magnesium combined with ropivacaine to reduce pain scores after pediatric adenotonsillectomy.

METHODS:

Sixty one subjects received 5ml solution contained 0.25% ropivacaine plus 5mg/kg magnesium sulphate (Group M+R), 5ml 0.25% ropivacaine (Group R) or 5ml solution contained 5mg/kg magnesium sulphate (Group M). Pain scores in the ward and at home, analgesics received after operation and the adverse effects were recorded.

RESULTS:

Compared with group M, patients in group M+R and group R had lower pain scores, less emergence agitation and increased time for first analgesic request. Group M+R had no benefit in reducing pain scores after adenotonsillectomy compared with group R.

CONCLUSIONS:

Pre-emptive peritonsillar infiltration of magnesium sulphate 5mg/kg combined with 0.25% ropivacaine couldn’t improve analgesia for pediatric adenotonsillectomy compared with 0.25% ropivacaine alone. However, Group M+R had less incidence of emergence agitation. Compared with group M, both of group M+R and group R had better postoperative analgesia.