Improving postoperative tonsillectomy pain management in children--a double blinded randomised control trial of a patient analgesia information sheet.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate paediatric post-tonsillectomy pain management using oxycodone when a specific analgesia information sheet is included with standard postoperative information.

METHODS

Oxycodone information sheets were randomly allocated to half the study children's post-tonsillectomy information pack. The trial was double-blinded to the surgeon, anaesthetist, nursing and administrative staff. Parents and children completed the pain assessment on day 3, 5 and 7. On day 10 the parents completed a questionnaire.

RESULTS

A postoperative analgesia information sheet provides for higher satisfaction and knowledge for parents using oxycodone (p<0.001) and children have improved postoperative pain control, most significantly at day 5 (p<0.05). Parent assessment of the child's analgesia was superior with the oxycodone information sheet, most significantly at day 3 and 7 post operatively (p<0.05). There is also a positive correlation between the parents' observed pain score and children's self reported pain score, with a low correlation efficient level observed (p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Information sheets are useful in education and use of postoperative analgesia. The primary objective to explore the efficacy of the information sheet has proved to be successful in this setting. Given risks of opioid analgesia, it is recommended that postoperative information sheets be given to all parents, to provide for improved analgesia control and safe management of children in the postoperative period.