Skip to content

Efficacy of Oral Versus Intravenous Acetaminophen for Primary Pediatric Cleft Palate Repair

Analgesic Efficacy of Oral Versus Intravenous Acetaminophen for Primary Pediatric Cleft Palate Repair; a Randomized, Double, Blinded, Placebo Controlled Study

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT01500109
Enrollment
45
Registered
2011-12-26
Start date
2011-11-30
Completion date
2014-08-31
Last updated
2021-06-09

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Cleft Palate

Keywords

cleft palate surgery, post-operative pain management, Acetaminophen

Brief summary

The purpose of this investigator-initiated study is to determine whether acetaminophen is an effective pain reliever for primary cleft palate repair in children and possesses opioid sparing effects. Additionally, the investigators will determine if patients who receive acetaminophen have less opioid related side-effects. The study will have three study groups based on whether the patient receives Ofirmev® and opioids (Fentanyl and Morphine), oral acetaminophen elixir and opioids (Fentanyl and Morphine), or opioids (Fentanyl and Morphine) alone. Total opioid (Fentanyl and Morphine) consumption will be tracked for the intraoperative period and 24 hours after surgery for all patients within the study and converted to morphine equivalents.

Interventions

Oral acetaminophen administered as a cherry flavored elixir will be dosed preoperatively 15 mg/kg and redosed every 6 hours for 24 hours. Placebo oral acetaminophen will be administered to the other two arms of the study according to the same timetable. Intraoperative opioids (Fentanyl or Morphine) will be administered as deemed necessary by anesthesia care team. in the PACU, fentanyl 0.5-1 mcg/kg will be administered for moderate-severe pain. Once discharged from PACU, morphine 0.05 mg/kg will be given every 3 hours as needed.

DRUGOfirmev®

Intravenous acetaminophen is initiated after intravenous access is obtained intraoperatively and before surgical incision. Dosing is age based as follows: 5 months-2 years 12.5 mg/kg, 2-5 years 15 mg/kg. Redosing will be every 6 hours for 24 hours. The two other arms will receive a placebo in the form of normal saline given intravenously. Intraoperative opioids will be administered as deemed necessary by anesthesia care team. in the PACU, fentanyl 0.5-1 mcg/kg will be administered for moderate-severe pain. Once discharged from PACU, morphine 0.05 mg/kg will be given every 3 hours as needed.

DRUGOpioid only

Intraoperative opioids (Fentanyl or Morphine) will be administered as deemed necessary by anesthesia care team. in the PACU, fentanyl 0.5-1 mcg/kg will be administered for moderate-severe pain. Once discharged from PACU, morphine 0.05 mg/kg will be given every 3 hours as needed.

Sponsors

Loma Linda University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
5 Months to 5 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Children 5 months to five years of age * ASA physical status I or II * primary cleft palate repair alone or in some combination with bilateral myringotomy with tympanostomy (BMT), alveoplasty, vomer flap, rhinoplasty, and or cleft lip repair.?

Exclusion criteria

* Repeat/revision cleft palate repair * Contraindications to acetaminophen administration (liver or renal dysfunction, allergy) * Chronic pain medications * Diagnosis of chronic pain syndrome * Contraindications to morphine (renal impairment, allergy) * Seizure disorders and/or taking anti-seizure medications * Contraindications to oral midazolam (liver dysfunction, allergy) * Allergy to local anesthetics

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Opioid (Fentanyl and Morphine) Consumptionintraoperative period and first postoperative 24 hoursThe primary outcome measure of the study will be to measure opioid (Fentanyl and Morphine) consumption during the intraoperative period first postoperative 24 hours (measured in morphine equivalents).

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Ofirmev®
Oral inert cherry syrup will be administered preoperatively as placebo for oral acetaminophen. Ofirmev will be administered in the operating room once intravenous access is established. Patients will receive standardized dose of local anesthetic (Lidocaine 0.5% with Epinephrine) infiltration by the surgeon before surgical incision as well as at the completion of surgery with Bupivacaine 0.25% with Epinephrine. Postoperatively patients will receive Ofirmev® every 6 hours as well as placebo oral cherry elixir every 6 hours and morphine as needed for 24 hours. Ofirmev®: Intravenous acetaminophen is initiated after intravenous access is obtained intraoperatively and before surgical incision. Dosing is age based as follows: 5 months-2 years 12.5 mg/kg, 2-5 years 15 mg/kg. Redosing will be every 6 hours for 24 hours. The two other arms will receive a placebo in the form of normal saline given intravenously. Intraoperative opioids will be administered as deemed necessary by anesthesia c
15
Oral Acetaminophen
Patients will receive oral acetaminophen cherry elixir preoperatively. After intravenous access is obtained intraoperatively patients will receive placebo for Ofirmev (saline). Patients will receive standardized dose of local anesthetic (Lidocaine 0.5% with Epinephrine) infiltration by the surgeon prior to surgical incision as wel as at the completion of surgery with Bupivacaine 0.25% with Epinephrine. Postoperatively patient will receive oral acetaminophen every six hours and intravenous placebo (normal saline) for intravenous acetaminophen. Intravenous morphine will be administered as needed for 24 hours. Oral acetaminophen: Oral acetaminophen administered as a cherry flavored elixir will be dosed preoperatively 15 mg/kg and redosed every 6 hours for 24 hours. Placebo oral acetaminophen will be administered to the other two arms of the study according to the same timetable. Intraoperative opioids (Fentanyl or Morphine) will be administered as deemed necessary by anesthesia care t
14
Opioid Only
This group will receive placebo oral cherry elixir prior to going to the operating room and placebo Ofirmev® after securing intravenous access in the operating room with redosing every six hours. They will receive local anesthetic (Lidocaine 0.5% with Epinephrine) infiltration by the surgeon prior to incision as well as at the completion of surgery with Bupivicaine 0.25% with Epinephrine. Postoperatively they will receive only Morphine prn for pain control. Opioid only: Intraoperative opioids (Fentanyl or Morphine) will be administered as deemed necessary by anesthesia care team. in the PACU, fentanyl 0.5-1 mcg/kg will be administered for moderate-severe pain. Once discharged from PACU, morphine 0.05 mg/kg will be given every 3 hours as needed.
16
Total45

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicOral AcetaminophenOpioid OnlyOfirmev®Total
Age, Categorical
<=18 years
14 Participants16 Participants15 Participants45 Participants
Age, Categorical
>=65 years
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Age, Categorical
Between 18 and 65 years
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Age, Continuous8.7 Months8.2 Months7.7 Months8.2 Months
Region of Enrollment
United States
14 participants16 participants15 participants45 participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
8 Participants10 Participants5 Participants23 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
6 Participants6 Participants10 Participants22 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
EG002
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
— / —— / —— / —
other
Total, other adverse events
0 / 00 / 00 / 0
serious
Total, serious adverse events
0 / 00 / 00 / 0

Outcome results

Primary

Opioid (Fentanyl and Morphine) Consumption

The primary outcome measure of the study will be to measure opioid (Fentanyl and Morphine) consumption during the intraoperative period first postoperative 24 hours (measured in morphine equivalents).

Time frame: intraoperative period and first postoperative 24 hours

Population: PI left institution without completing results. All efforts to contact PI for data have been unsuccessful. No data available to report.

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026