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Comparing Analgesic Regimen Effectiveness and Safety for Surgery for Kids Trial

Comparing Analgesic Regimen Effectiveness and Safety for Surgery for Kids (CARES for Kids) Trial

Status
Recruiting
Phases
Phase 4
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT06671002
Acronym
CARES for Kids
Enrollment
900
Registered
2024-11-04
Start date
2025-01-10
Completion date
2027-10-31
Last updated
2026-03-04

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

Conditions

Pain, Post Operative, Surgery

Keywords

Medications after surgery, NSAIDS, Acetaminophen, Opioids, Analgesics, non-narcotic, Tonsil removal, Gallbladder removal, Knee scope, Analgesics, opioid

Brief summary

This trial is being completed to compare two commonly used options to treat pain after discharge from surgery. Participants that undergo tonsil removal, gallbladder removal, and knee scope will be eligible to enroll. Eligible participants will be randomized to prescription of 1 of 2 groups of medications (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) plus acetaminophen or low dose opioids with the NSAIDs plus acetaminophen. The key question the study seeks to answer is which option will have the best outcomes and with the fewest side effects?

Interventions

DRUGNSAID

Once randomized to this group the surgical team will elect to prescribe 1 of the following treatment options for post-discharge pain: * Ibuprofen 10 milligrams(mg)/kilogram (kg) (maximum 600mg) by mouth every 6 hours around the clock for 2 days, then as needed for pain thereafter (40 doses) * Celecoxib 6mg/kg (maximum 400mg) by mouth once then 3 mg/kg (maximum 200mg) every 12 hours around the clock for 2 days, then as needed for pain thereafter (40 doses)

DRUGOpioid

Once randomized to this group the surgical team will elect to prescribe for 1 of the following treatment options to be given post procedure for post-discharge pain: * Oxycodone 0.1 mg/kg (maximum 5 mg) by mouth every 4 to 6 hours as needed for pain, number 10 doses. * Hydromorphone 0.04 mg/kg (maximum mg) by mouth 4 to 6 hours as needed, number 10 doses

DRUGAcetaminophen

Participants will receive 15mg/kg up to 1000mg by mouth every 6 hours around the clock for the first 2 days after discharge from surgery then as needed thereafter (40 doses)

DRUGIbuprofen

Ibuprofen 10mg/kg (maximum 600 mg) by mouth every 6 hours around the clock for 2 days after discharge from surgery then as needed thereafter (40 doses)

Sponsors

University of Michigan
Lead SponsorOTHER
Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute
CollaboratorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)

Masking description

Both study staff performing outcome assessment and data analysis will be masked to treatment assignment.

Intervention model description

Both study staff performing outcome assessment and data analysis will be masked to treatment assignment.

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
12 Years to 20 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* No significant analgesic medication use before surgery as defined in the protocol. For this study, we define significant analgesic medication use before surgery as prescriptions reported by the child or caregiver for 6 days or more of opioid medications in the past 90 days (aligning with American Pediatric Guidelines that were published in September 2024 after the project was funded), excepting surgical team prescriptions within the week of surgery. * Undergo one the following: tonsil removal (with or without adenoid removal), gallbladder removal (laparoscopic), and knee scope (arthroscopy).

Exclusion criteria

* Anticipated other surgery within 12 months * Anticipated life expectancy of \<12 months * Those that have legal guardians (due to special permission to enroll in trials) * Participants with complex chronic conditions per the Pediatric Medical Complexity Algorithm (e.g., trisomy 21) * Patients with contraindications to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) drugs in the NSAID arm, opioid drugs in the opioid arm, or acetaminophen will be excluded. * Liver disease * Acute psychiatric instability (defined as current uncontrolled severe depression, severe post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or suicidal ideation), substance use disorder not in remission or treatment, and history of diversion of controlled substances (opioids)

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Effectiveness outcome - Pain intensity based on Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) pain intensity score at the surgical site over 14 days post-surgery14 days post-surgery, and up to 12 months after surgeryThis is a one question survey in which the worst pain intensity recorded (0-10 being the worst) will be used.
Safety outcome - number and severity of any adverse medication-related symptoms over 14 days post-surgery14 days post-surgery, and 1 month after surgerySymptom Checklist will proactively screen patients for reports of adverse events from analgesic medications over the first 14 days post-surgery.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Pediatric Sleep Disturbance v1.0 short form 4aBaseline and 1 month after surgeryThis is a 4-question survey in which participants will rate statements pertaining to quality of sleep. Participants will also rate sleep quality as very poor (5), poor (4), fair (3), good (2), or very good (1).
Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC)Day 7 up to 12 months after surgeryThe perception of improvement or worsening after treatment will be assessed by the patient global impression of change PGIC (range 0-7).
PROMIS Pediatric Pain Interference scale (Short form-8a)Baseline up to 12 months after surgeryThis is an 8-question survey in which participants will rate statements pertaining to how pain interferes with activities and function.
Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS)Baseline up to 12 months after surgeryThis is a 6-question survey in which participants will rate statements pertaining to their experience of pain.
Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Short Form 15Baseline up to 12 months after surgeryThere are 15 questions with four scales for function related to physical, emotional, social, and school dimensions for adolescents. Participants answer questions from never (0) to almost always (4).
Quality of Recovery (QoR) 15Day 3, 1 week, and 2 weeks after surgeryThere are 15 questions assessed on a scale of 1-10, with 0 being none of the time and 10 being all of the time, 10 being the better outcome.
Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-2)Baseline up to 12 months after surgeryThere are 2 questions that are completed to screen for depression. Participants answer from not at all (0) to Nearly every day (3). The scores range from 0-6 with a higher score indicating higher levels of depression.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-2)Baseline up to 12 months after surgeryThere are 2 questions that are completed to screen for anxiety. Participants answer from not at all (0) to Nearly every day (3). The scores range from 0-6 with a higher score indicating higher levels of anxiety.
Brief Screening Instrument for Adolescent Tobacco, Alcohol, and Drug UseBaseline up to 12 months after surgeryThis is a 6-question survey about the participants' use of tobacco, alcohol and drugs.
National Survey on Drug Use and Health Questions on Opioid MisuseBaseline up to 12 months after surgeryThis is a one question survey that assesses opioid misuse defined as use that is more than prescribed, for non pain-related reasons, or in a way not prescribed by a doctor.
New prolonged opioid useUp to 12 months after surgeryOne question that will assess opioid prescription fills to identify new prolonged opioid use after surgery
Acute pain based on The Michigan Body MapUp to 12 months after surgeryParticipants will document/mark on this image map to identify areas in which acute pain was felt.
Chronic pain based on Body MapUp to 12 months after surgeryParticipants will document/mark on this image map to identify areas in which persistent or recurrent pain was felt.
Chronic pain based on Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) pain intensity score up to 12 months after surgeryto 12 months after surgeryOne question survey in which the participants rate pain intensity recorded (0-10), ten being the worst.
Healthcare Utilization related to painUp to 12 months after surgeryParticipants will answer questions about their healthcare utilization related to pain for the following three events: (1) postoperative clinical interactions related to pain in the form of patient messages, phone calls, and non-routine clinic visits related to pain, (2) emergency room visits, and (3) hospitalizations. The study team will also review health record for the same events.
Analgesic medication useUp to 12 months after surgeryParticipants will answer questions about their analgesic medication use for acetaminophen, NSAIDs, opioids, and other medications, including prescription fills, over-the-counter use, and consumption. The study team will also review health record for prescription fills.

Countries

United States

Contacts

CONTACTSarah Clark
sarahmcl@umich.edu734-232-0324
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORMark Bicket, MD, PhD

University of Michigan

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Mar 5, 2026