Day-case Adenoidectomy Research Articles

Day-case adenoidectomy: Outcomes are improved using suction coagulation and prophylactic anti-emetic treatment

In 2004, the Department of Health published 10 High Impact Changes across the NHS. Of these, the first was treating day surgery as the norm for elective operations, releasing up to half a million in-patient beds each year. Adenoidectomy is an operation commonly performed in children for upper respiratory tract obstruction and as part of the surgical management of otitis media with effusion. Many surgeons consider the traditional curettage adenoidectomy as an unsatisfactory operation because it is performed blind, and is associated with varying reported levels of post-operative bleeding. Concern about the risk of bleeding and the frequent occurrence of post-operative nausea and vomiting have discouraged many surgeons from adopting adenoidectomy as a day-case procedure. We have audited the management and discharge of a cohort of 72 children undergoing traditional curettage adenoidectomy. Based on the results, we have completed the audit loop, by managing a second cohort of 77 children by suction coagulation adenoidectomy. An anaesthetic protocol has been designed to reduce post-operative nausea and vomiting, and facilitate same day discharge from hospital. The rate of post-operative nausea and vomiting fell from 21 to 1.3%, and the post-operative bleeding from 9.7% to nil. Discharge on the day of operation rose from 40.3 to 100%. Our audit confirms that these measures permit safe, day-case adenoidectomy.

Analgesic efficacy of rectal acetaminophen and ibuprofen alone or in combination for paediatric day-case adenoidectomy

Acetaminophen and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have different mechanisms of action. We investigated if combining rectal acetaminophen with ibuprofen would provide better postoperative analgesia compared with either drug alone after adenoidectomy in children. 160 children, aged 1-6 yr, undergoing day-case adenoidectomy, were randomized to receive either acetaminophen 40 mg kg(-1), ibuprofen 15 mg kg(-1), their combination, or placebo rectally immediately after anaesthetic induction. A standard anaesthetic method was used and all children received alfentanil 10 micro g kg(-1) i.v. during induction. Meperidine 5-10 mg i.v. was used for rescue analgesia for a pain score (Objective Pain Scale) over 3. Recovery times, sedation scores and the need for rescue analgesia and adverse events during the first 24 h after anaesthesia were recorded. Rescue analgesic at home was ibuprofen 10 mg kg(-1). Total meperidine requirements were significantly less in the groups receiving acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or their combination compared with the group receiving placebo indicating an opioid-sparing effect of 19-28% (P<0.05). Children given acetaminophen were more sedated than those given ibuprofen (P<0.05). Discharge criteria were fulfilled earlier in the ibuprofen group than in all the other groups (P<0.05). At home, less children (49%) needed rescue analgesia in the combination group compared with the other groups (74-77%) (P<0.02). We conclude that prophylactically administered rectal acetaminophen combined with ibuprofen does not improve analgesia after adenoidectomy in the immediate postoperative period compared with either drug alone but does decrease the need for analgesia at home. Ibuprofen results in lesser sedation and faster discharge than when acetaminophen is used.

Analgesic efficacy of tramadol 2 mg kg−1 for paediatric day-case adenoidectomy

We studied the analgesic efficacy of tramadol 2 mg kg(-1) for post-operative analgesia after day-case adenoidectomy in children aged 1-3 yr. Eighty children were allocated randomly to receive tramadol 2 mg kg(-1) i.v. or placebo immediately after induction of anaesthesia. Anaesthesia was induced with alfentanil 10 microg kg(-1) and propofol 4 mg kg(-1) followed by mivacurium 0.2 mg kg(-1) for tracheal intubation. Anaesthesia was continued with sevoflurane in nitrous oxide and oxygen. All children were given ibuprofen rectally at approximately 10 mg kg(-1) before the start of surgery. Post-operative pain and recovery assessments were performed by a nurse blinded to the analgesic treatment using the Aldrete recovery score, the pain/discomfort scale and measurement of recovery times. Rescue medication (pethidine in increments of 5 mg i.v.) was administered according to the pain scores. A post-operative questionnaire was used to evaluate the need for analgesia at home up to 24 h after operation. Rescue analgesic at home was rectal or oral ibuprofen 125 mg. Children in the tramadol group required fewer pethidine doses than those in the placebo group (P = 0.014). Forty-five per cent of children receiving tramadol did not require post-operative analgesia at all compared with 15% of children receiving placebo (P = 0.003). Recovery times and the incidence of adverse effects were similar in the two groups in the recovery room and at home. The requirement for rectal ibuprofen at home did not differ between groups.

Pain management after adenoidectomy with ketoprofen: comparison of rectal and intravenous routes

We compared the efficacy of rectally and intravenously administered ketoprofen for pain management after day-case adenoidectomy. Patients (123 children aged 1-9 yr) were allocated randomly to receive on induction of anaesthesia ketoprofen 25 mg rectally with an i.v. placebo, ketoprofen 25 mg i.v. with a rectal placebo, or placebo both i.v. and rectally. The method of anaesthesia and the operative technique were standardized. Postoperative pain was assessed at rest and during swallowing using the Maunuksela pain scale (0=no pain, 10=worst possible pain). Fentanyl 0.5 microg kg(-1) was given as rescue analgesia. There was no significant difference between the two ketoprofen groups in their requirement for rescue analgesics. However, both the proportion of children needing rescue analgesics [55 of 84 children (65%) vs. 33 of 39 children (84%); difference 19%, 95% confidence interval 4-34%, P=0.029] and the number of rescue analgesic doses [mean 1.2 (SD 1.2) vs. 2.2 (1.4); mean difference 0.9, 95% confidence interval 0.4-1.4, P=0.001] were significantly lower among children receiving ketoprofen than in children receiving placebo. Adverse events, duration of operation, perioperative bleeding, pain scores and time of discharge were similar in the three groups.

Postoperative pain after adenoidectomy in children

We have investigated if pain intensity or analgesic requirements in hospital predicted pain intensity, pain duration or analgesic requirements at home in 611 children, aged 1-7 yr, after day-case adenoidectomy. We also investigated if ketoprofen 0.3-3.0 mg kg-1, administered pre-emptively i.v. during operation, modified pain at home. In hospital, a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study design was performed. A standard anaesthetic technique was used in all children and fentanyl i.v. was available for rescue analgesia. After discharge, the study design was open, experimental, prospective and longitudinal. On return home, children were prescribed ketoprofen tablets 5 mg kg-1 day-1. Parents were asked to complete an analgesia diary; non-responders were contacted by telephone. The response rate was 91%. The number of doses of fentanyl given in hospital correlated with pain intensity at home (P < 0.001). There were no other correlations and no pre-emptive effect of ketoprofen.

Induction characteristics of thiopentone/suxamethonium, propofol/alfentanil or halothane alone in children aged 1-3 years

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of three different induction techniques, with or without neuromuscular block, on tracheal intubation, haemodynamic responses and cardiac rhythm. Ninety children, aged 1-3 years, undergoing day-case adenoidectomy were randomly allocated to three groups: group TS received thiopentone 5 mg kg−1 and suxamethonium 1.5 mg kg−1, group H 5 Vol.% halothane and group PA alfentanil 10 μg kg−1 and propofol 3 mg kg−1 for induction of anaesthesia. No anticholinergics were used. Holter-monitoring of the heart rate and rhythm was started at least 15 min before induction of anaesthesia and continued until 3 min after intubation. Tracheal intubation was performed by an anaesthetist blinded to the induction method and judged as excellent, moderate or poor according to ease of laryngoscopy, position of vocal cords and incidence of coughing after intubation. Tracheal intubation was successful at the first attempt in all children in groups TS and H and but only in 80% in group PA (P = 0.001). Intubating conditions were excellent in 22 (73%), 22 (73%) and one (3%) of the patients in groups TS, H and PA, respectively (P = 0.001). Cardiac dysrhythmias (supraventricular extrasystole or junctional rhythm) occurred in two (7%) patients in groups PA and H each (NS). Bradycardia occurred in 0 (0%), four (14%) and six (21%) children in groups TS, H and PA, respectively (P = 0.007 PA vs. TS, P = 0.03 H vs. TS). In conclusion, induction of anaesthesia with propofol 3 mg kg−1 and alfentanil 10 μg kg−1 without neuromuscular block did not provide acceptable intubating conditions in children 1-3 years, although it preserved arterial pressure better than thiopentone/suxamethonium or halothane. Cardiac dysrhythmias were few regardless of the induction method.

Recovery after halothane anaesthesia induced with thiopental, propofol-alfentanil or halothane for day-case adenoidectomy in small children

We studied recovery from halothane anaesthesia in 93 children, aged 1-3 yr, undergoing day-case adenoidectomy. Children were allocated randomly to receive thiopental 5 mg kg-1 (group TH), alfentanil 10 micrograms kg-1 and propofol 3 mg kg-1 (group PAH) or 5% halothane (group HH) for induction of anaesthesia. In group TH, tracheal intubation was facilitated with succinylcholine (suxamethonium) 1.5 mg kg-1. In groups PAH and HH, tracheal intubation was performed without neuromuscular block, and succinylcholine was used only if required. Anaesthesia was maintained with 1-3% halothane during spontaneous respiration. Times to achieving predetermined recovery end-points were recorded. Quality of recovery was assessed using a score of 1-9 (best to worst) for sedation, crying, restlessness and agitation. A postoperative questionnaire was used to determine the well-being of the child at home, 24 h after operation. Emergence from anaesthesia (response to non-painful stimuli) occurred earlier in group HH (mean 9 (SD 6) min) than in groups PAH (13 (6) min, P < 0.01) and TH (18 (14) min, P < 0.01). Sitting up, walking and home readiness were achieved earlier in groups PAH and HH than in group TH (P < 0.05 for each variable). Children in group TH were more sedated during the first 30 min after anaesthesia than those in the two other groups (P < 0.05) while emergence-related delirium was more common in group HH than in group TH (P < 0.01). Well-being at home was similar in all groups. We conclude that induction of halothane anaesthesia with propofol-alfentanil or halothane provided more rapid recovery and earlier discharge than that with thiopental.

Admission and discharge policy for paediatric adenoidectomy and tonsillectomy--a rural perspective.

Adenoidectomy and tonsillectomy are amongst the most common surgical procedures carried out in children. We undertook a prospective audit in the Highlands of Scotland to document the views of general practitioners, parents, nursing staff and anaesthetists on admission and discharge policy. Of responses from 149 general practitioners, 119 (80 per cent) were in favour of change to same day admission and 22 (15 per cent) were not in favour. For change to same day discharge for adenoidectomy, 55 (37 per cent) were in favour and 81 (54 per cent) were not in favour. For change to next day discharge for tonsillectomy, the figures were 51 (34 per cent) and 89 (60 per cent) respectively. Responses from 14 trained paediatric nurses comprised 13 not in favour of same day admission, six in favour and seven not in favour of same day discharge for adenoidectomy and all 14 not in favour of same day discharge for tonsillectomy. All eight Consultant anaesthetists approached were happy with a change in policy to same day admission for children who were otherwise fit and well. Thirty-seven parents (70 per cent) preferred previous day admission and 14 (29 per cent) were happy with same day admission for their children. On the basis of these results, day-case adenoidectomy or tonsillectomy is not being considered in this area. Moves have been made, however, toward a policy of same day admission and next day discharge.

Day-case adenoidectomy: how popular and safe in a rural environment?

In spite of previously favourable reports on day-case adenoidectomy, there are still worries amongst otolaryngologists that such practice is unsafe, especially in a rural environment. A national survey was therefore carried out which shows that only 41 per cent of respondents perform adenoidectomy routinely as day-case, and even fewer in rural areas. A regional audit on day-case adenoidectomy, covering five hospitals, was conducted in East Anglia. Between 1994 to 1995, 73 day-case adenoidectomies were performed and the outcome was compared to those of 183 in-patient adenoidectomies during the same period. The children in the day-case group recovered post-operatively even better than the in-patient group. None of them stayed overnight or required re-admission. There was no increased in post-operative consultation to the general practitioner. The parents in the day-case group were mostly in favour of the day-case arrangement (88 per cent). The results suggest that day-case adenoidectomy is safe and popular with parents even in a rural environment.

Day-case adenoidectomy — safety and cost effectiveness

In order to evaluate the safety, economics and cost effectiveness of performing adenoidectomy as a day-case surgical procedure, collected data from theatre register, medical and nursing case notes were analysed with the safety results and costings were detailed of day-care cases in relation to inpatient results. Over the 2 yr period between October 1991 and September 1993 out of 2229 ear, nose and throat (ENT) procedures, 993 were day cases under the care of one consultant surgeon where the procedures were carried out by senior house officers, staff grade, clinical assistant and the consultant. Of these, 332 intended day-case adenoidectomies were performed either as part of multiple day-case procedures, 310 cases; or adenoidectomy alone, 22 cases. The age range was 2–15 yr. A morbidity rate of 16.57% (55 cases) requiring overnight stay was recorded, mainly due to clinical or social reasons. No cases of bleeding requiring return to theatre and no mortalities were reported. The calculated cost of treating the 332 patients on an intended day-care basis, less 55 cases kept overnight, has shown that a saving of over £27500 per annum over the cost of inpatient treatment is attainable by one surgical firm. It is concluded that performing adenoidectomy as a day-case compared with inpatient procedure is surgically and clinically safe with no mortality and minor morbidity and is also cost effective with an average saving of 43.6%.

Day-case adenoidectomy, parental opinions and concerns.

Day-case surgery has been urged on the National Health Service by the Audit Commission in the last decade despite concerns about safety. A questionnaire was posted to the parents of 109 children who had recently undergone day-case adenoidectomy, addressing parental concerns and opinions. Eighty per cent of the questionnaires were returned. A high level of satisfaction with day-case adenoidectomy was expressed by the parents. All the children were observed for six hours after surgery prior to discharge. One child was visited at home by his general practitioner in the first 24 hours of discharge but there were no serious post-operative complications and none of the children required re-admission to hospital. Day-case adenoidectomy is safe, very acceptable to parents and does not result in a greatly increased workload for general practitioners.

Day-case adenoidectomy for children

Day-case adenoidectomy for children

Organization of day-case adenoidectomy in the management of chronic otitis media with effusion--preliminary results.

We report our initial findings of adenoidectomy performed in Leicester as a day case on 149 children between the ages of 3 and 9 years, who have been assessed for suitability for day-case surgery according to specific medical and social criteria. The selection a paediatric community nurse. All of the surgical procedures have been performed by experienced medical staff and the various anaesthetic techniques used by consultants or senior registrars have been documented. Six children were admitted postoperatively for overnight observation, three of whom had suffered a primary haemorrhage. No patients have been returned to theatre because of haemorrhage and there have been no re-admissions after discharge. A strict entry protocol has been observed to ensure the safety of this type of surgery and to date the acceptability of such a scheme and its organization has been widespread amongst those children and their parents who have participated.