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Comparison of Oral Versus Rectal Administration of Acetaminophen With Codeine in Postoperative Pediatric Adenotonsillectomy Patients
Author(s) -
Owczarzak Vicki,
Haddad Joseph
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1097/01.mlg.0000227530.64179.1f
Subject(s) - medicine , acetaminophen , codeine , suppository , rectal administration , anesthesia , oral administration , pain control , postoperative pain , adverse effect , morphine , pharmacology
Objective: To examine whether acetaminophen with codeine administered per rectum is an effective alternative for pain control compared with oral administration after an adenotonsillectomy. Study Design: A prospective, randomized control study. Methods: Seventy‐five children aged 1 to 5 were recruited for this study. Each child was assigned randomly to receive either rectal or oral postoperative pain medication. A journal with eight questions was kept for 10 days after the operation, and an overall survey of five questions was filled out at the first postoperative visit. Results: Postoperative pain was adequately controlled in those patients receiving suppositories when compared with those patients receiving oral pain medication. Adverse effects and total number of doses given per day were similar. Parents found the suppositories easy to administer, and more parents would switch or consider switching from oral pain medication to suppositories if given the choice. Conclusions: The suppositories achieved equivalent pain control as oral medication with few side effects and good tolerance. Furthermore, many parents preferred the suppositories to oral medication in maintaining postoperative pain control because of ease of administration. If given the choice for future surgeries, many parents would switch or consider switching from oral pain medication to suppositories.