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

ObjectivesThe randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study evaluated the administration of local infiltration of magnesium combined with ropivacaine to reduce pain scores after pediatric adenotonsillectomy.MethodsSixty one subjects received 5 ml solution contained 0.25% ropivacaine plus 5 mg/kg magnesium sulphate (Group M + R), 5 ml 0.25% ropivacaine (Group R) or 5 ml solution contained 5 mg/kg magnesium sulphate (Group M). Pain scores in the ward and at home, analgesics received after operation and the adverse effects were recorded.ResultsCompared 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.ConclusionsPre-emptive peritonsillar infiltration of magnesium sulphate 5 mg/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.