Efficacy of Adjuvant Magnesium for Posttonsillectomy Morbidity in Children: A Meta-analysis.

Objectives The perioperative administration of magnesium is known to reduce postoperative morbidities in adults, such as pain, agitation, and laryngospasm. The objective is to assess the effects of perioperative magnesium as the adjuvant to tonsillectomy as compared with tonsillectomy in children. Data Source Five databases (PubMed, SCOPUS, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane). Method Two authors independently searched databases up to January 2017. We compared perioperative magnesium administration (magnesium groups) with no administration of magnesium (control group). The following outcomes were measured: postoperative pain intensity, analgesics administration, or other morbidities (laryngospasm, agitation, postoperative bleeding) in the postoperative 24 hours. Additionally, to evaluate the discrepancy of effects according to different administration routes, subgroup analyses regarding effects according to systemic or local administration of magnesium were performed. Results Nine prospective randomized controlled studies (n = 615) that evaluated the effect of magnesium in children having undergone tonsillectomy met inclusion criteria. Compared with control group, the time for first analgesic requirement was significantly delayed in magnesium groups (standardized mean difference = 0.75; 95% CI, 0.20-1.31; P = .0079). Laryngospasm (log odds ratio = -1.09; 95% CI,-2.11 to -0.07; P = .0362) and agitation score (standardized mean difference = -0.67; 95% CI, -0.97 to -0.36; P < .0001) in the recovery room also significantly decreased in magnesium groups. In subgroup analyses regarding pain and laryngospasm-related measurements, local administration of magnesium was shown to be more effective at reducing postoperative morbidities. Conclusions Perioperative magnesium regardless of route may offer pain, agitation, and laryngospasm relief without adverse effects in pediatric tonsillectomy. Based on the high heterogeneity of results within some parameters, further studies need to be performed to affirm these results.

Does preoperative administration of gabapentin/pregabalin improve postoperative nasal surgery pain?

OBJECTIVES: Gabapentin and pregabalin has been shown to reduce postoperative pain effectively. In this meta-analysis, we aimed to assess the role of preoperative gabapentinoids for attenuating postoperative pain after nasal surgery in patients via a meta-analysis of the literature. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Database. METHODS: Literature was screened from inception to December 2015. Nine articles to compare the preoperative administered gabapentinoid (gabapentinoids groups) with a placebo or analgesics (control group) were included for analysis of the outcomes of interest, which included postoperative pain scores, analgesic intakes, or side effects, such as sedation, nausea and vomiting, blurred vision, operative bleeding, dizziness, and headache, during a 24-hour postoperative period. RESULTS: The pain score reported by the physician and need for analgesics during the first 24 hours, postoperatively, in the gabapentinoids group significantly reduced compared with the control. Additionally, the gabapentinoids had no significant effect on the incidences of side effects except blurred vision compared with the control during the 24 hours postoperatively. In the subgroup analyses of these results according to operation type, these subgroups showed similar effects on reducing postoperative pain and adverse effects. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative gabapentinoids could attenuate postoperative pain without significant adverse effects in patients who undergo nasal surgery. However, blurred vision may be a handicap that requires consideration for use and education for patients. Further clinical trials will be of help in supporting the results of this study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA Laryngoscope, 126:2232-2241, 2016.

The efficacy of gabapentin/pregabalin in improving pain after tonsillectomy: A meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Gabapentin and pregabalin are useful for treating neuropathic pain because of their antiallodynic and antihyperalgesic properties, which may be beneficial in managing acute postoperative pain. The goal of this meta-analysis was to perform a systematic review of the literature on the effect of gabapentinoids on postoperative pain following tonsillectomy, and its adverse effects in patients. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE, SCOPUS, and Cochrane database. METHODS: Two authors independently searched the databases from their inception of article collection to May 2015. Included in the analysis were studies that compared preoperative gabapentinoid administration (gabapentinoids groups) with a placebo or pain control agent (control group) during a 24-hour postoperative period, the outcomes of interest being postoperative pain intensity; rescue analgesic consumption; or adverse effects such as sedation, nausea and vomiting, dizziness, and headache. RESULTS: The pain score reported by the physician during the first 8 hours, as well as the need for analgesics during 24 hours postoperatively, were significantly decreased in the gabapentinoids group versus the control group. Additionally, there was no significant difference between gabapentinoids and control groups for adverse effect during 24 hours postoperatively. In the subgroup analyses (gabapentin and pregabalin) regarding pain-related measurements, two subgroups showed the similar effect on reducing the postoperative pain severity. CONCLUSION: Preoperative administration of gabapentinoids could provide pain relief without side effects in patients undergoing tonsillectomy. However, considering the insufficient evaluation of efficacy of gabapentinoids according to the high heterogeneity in some parameters, further clinical trials with robust research methodology should be conducted in order to confirm the results of this study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA.

Can perioperative acupuncture reduce the pain and vomiting experienced after tonsillectomy? A meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Acupuncture has been shown to reduce pain, nausea, and vomiting. However, its use alongside surgical interventions remains a novel practice, despite the increasing applications of alternative medicine. The goal of this meta-analysis was to perform a systematic review of the literature addressing the effect of acupuncture on postoperative pain, nausea, and vomiting following tonsillectomy. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE, SCOPUS, and Cochrane database. METHODS: Two authors independently searched the databases from the inception of article collection until June 2015. We included 1) analysis studies that compared groups of patients who had received perioperative acupuncture (acupuncture groups) with those who had received a pain control agent or sham treatment (control group); and 2) analysis studies in which the outcomes of interest were postoperative pain intensity, rescue analgesic consumption, or nausea and vomiting. RESULTS: The pain score reported by patients during the first 48 hours and the postoperative need for analgesics were significantly lower in the acupuncture group versus the control group. Additionally, the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting was significantly lower in the acupuncture group than in the control group. No major adverse effects of perioperative acupuncture were reported in the enrolled studies. CONCLUSION: Perioperative acupuncture may provide pain relief without side effects in patients undergoing tonsillectomy. However, there were high levels of heterogeneity in several of the measured parameters; thus, the efficacy of acupuncture cannot be considered to have been evaluated sufficiently. For this reason, additional large well-designed trials are required to further support the results of this study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA. Laryngoscope, 126:608-615, 2016.