New anesthesia combo may spare kids opioid side effects after tonsil surgery

NCT ID NCT06326983

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tested whether a pain plan without strong opioids works as well as one with opioids for children after tonsil surgery. Sixty-two kids aged 3 to 17 were randomly assigned to get either morphine plus other drugs or a combo of dexmedetomidine, acetaminophen, and ketorolac. The goal was to see if the opioid-sparing approach could control pain just as well while reducing side effects like nausea and vomiting.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance
Dexmedetomidine, acetaminophen, ketorolac, and morphine
What this could lead to
If it works, this could offer a safer pain management option for children after tonsil surgery, reducing opioid-related side effects like nausea and vomiting.
What could go wrong
This is a small, completed study with only 62 children, so results may not apply to all kids. The non-opioid plan might not control pain as well in some cases.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

delirium Emergence Delirium Pain tonsillitis Vomiting

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Boston Children's Hospital

    Waltham, Massachusetts, 02453, United States

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