Analgesia for paediatric tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy with intramuscular clonidine

Summary Background: After undergoing tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy (T&A), children may experience significant pain. Clonidine, an α2 agonist, exhibits significant analgesic properties. The current investigation sought to determine whether intramuscular (I.M.) clonidine would decrease pain in paediatric patients undergoing T&A. Methods: Thirty‐nine children undergoing elective T&A were studied. Following inhalational anaesthetic induction, fentanyl (2 μg·kg−1) was given intravenously, acetaminophen (paracetamol) (30 mg·kg−1) was given rectally and the children then randomly received an i.m. injection of either normal saline or clonidine (2μg·kg−1). Perioperative analgesic requirements in the postanaesthesia care unit and at home following hospital discharge were evaluated. Results: There were no significant demographic, analgesic consumption, haemodynamic or pain score differences between the groups. Conclusions: We do not recommend adding i.m. clonidine (2 μg·kg−1) to the analgesic regimen of children undergoing tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy.