Prevention of POV After Paediatric Tonsillectomy

Vomiting After Tonsillectomy in Children: A Comparison of Dexamethasone and Acupuncture

Status

Completed

Phases

Phase 4

Study type

Interventional

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT02387918

Enrollment

120

Registered

2015-03-13

Start date

2015-02-28

Completion date

2015-10-31

Last updated

2016-01-22

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

Conditions

Vomiting

Keywords

Tonsillectomy, postoperative vomiting (POV), Dexamethasone, Acupuncture

Brief summary

Tonsillectomy is one of the most frequently performed surgical procedures in children. It remains associated with a high morbidity related to postoperative vomiting (POV), pain, risk of bleeding, and dehydration due to impaired oral intake. Current medications for POV have limited efficacy and may even be associated with potential side-effects. Non-pharmacological techniques such as acupuncture has been investigated as alternatives to antiemetics and as additional treatment modalities for POV.

Detailed description

Postoperative vomiting (POV) is one of the most common complication in children undergoing tonsillectomy. Its incidence is between 62% and 73% when no prophylactic antiemetic is given. Because of Limited efficacy and side effects with antiemetics, many alternative treatment had been used. Acupuncture is simple, inexpensive, and noninvasive with minimal side effects. The objective of this study is to compare two prophylactic antiemetic treatments : * Dexamethasone (0.15 mg/kg) immediately after induction of anaesthesia * Acupuncture treatment (immediately after induction of anaesthesia and for approximately 20 minutes)

Interventions

DRUGDexamethasone

Patients will receive Intravenous dexamethasone 0.15 mg/kg immediately after induction of anesthesia.

DEVICEAcupuncture

Acupuncture treatment (just after induction of anaesthesia and for approximately 20 minutes)

Study design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Intervention model

PARALLEL

Primary purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

QUADRUPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

ALL

Age

2 Years to 8 Years

Healthy volunteers

Inclusion criteria

* children aged 2-8 y. * children ASA 1-2 * tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy

Exclusion criteria

* American Society of Anesthesiologists grade greater than or equal to III (patient with severe systemic disease) * intravenous induction * contraindication to steroids * Rash or local infection over an acupuncture point * administration of steroids in the 24 hours before the surgery * Use of medication with antiemetic effect within the 24 hours before surgery * Gastric or intestinal diseases * refusal of parents

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame	Description
Incidence of POV after tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy	24 hours postoperatively	by 3 point ordinal scale

Countries

Egypt

Outcome results

None listed

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