Magnesium vs Placebo for Tonsillectomy

Study Summary

This study is a double-blind randomized controlled trial using intravenous magnesium versus placebo to determine if systemic magnesium can decrease postoperative pain in pediatric patients undergoing tonsillectomy. Participants will be in one of two arms. Those in Arm 1 will receive magnesium (30 mg/kg bolus followed by a 10mg/kg/hr infusion) while those in Arm 2 will receive an equal volume of normal saline bolus followed by infusion (placebo). The primary objective is to determine if systemic magnesium will decrease postoperative pain in patients undergoing tonsillectomy. The secondary objectives will determine if systemic magnesium administration is associated with a decrease in opioid-related side effects, decrease the incidence of emergence delirium, and improve postoperative functional recovery. The study hypothesis is that the use of intravenous magnesium will decrease postoperative pain, decrease opioid-related side effects, decrease the incidence of emergence delirium, and improve functional recovery in patients undergoing tonsillectomy.

Primary Outcome

Postoperative pain will be measured at 15 minute time intervals in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU). Pain scores will be evaluated using a standardized validated scale (the Faces Pain Scale Revised (FPS-R)). The Faces Pain Scale is a validated, patient reported, 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst pain imaginable) numeric rating scale. Pain scores will be multiplied by the time spent at each pain score for a calculated "Area Under the Curve" value, ranging from 0 to 900, with lower values indicating mo

Conditions Studied

Interventions

• DRUG Normal saline
• DRUG Magnesium

Study Locations (1)