Posttonsillectomy pain in children

Am J Nurs. 2014 Feb;114(2):36-42; quiz 43. doi: 10.1097/01.NAJ.0000443769.04764.65.

Abstract

Tonsillectomy, used to treat a variety of pediatric disorders, including obstructive sleep apnea, peritonsillar cellulitis or abscesses, and very frequent throat infection, is known to produce nausea, vomiting, and prolonged, moderate-to-severe pain. The authors review the causes of posttonsillectomy pain, current findings on the efficacy of various pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions in pain management, recommendations for patient and family teaching regarding pain management, and best practices for improving medication adherence.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acetaminophen / therapeutic use
  • Adolescent
  • Analgesics, Opioid / therapeutic use*
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / therapeutic use*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Medication Adherence
  • Pain, Postoperative / drug therapy*
  • Pain, Postoperative / etiology
  • Palatine Tonsil / surgery
  • Tonsillectomy*

Substances

  • Analgesics, Opioid
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Acetaminophen