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AdenotonsillectomyPhase 3NCT04879823

Post-operative Course of Dexamethasone to Reduce Tonsillectomy Morbidity

A Phase 3 study testing Dexamethasone, Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen in people with Adenotonsillectomy and Analgesia, run by David Chi, MD at 2 sites in United States.

Terminated

Stopped early. The study ended before it was planned to and will not resume.

Official record
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Trial summary

The goal of this study is determine if an oral systemic course of steroids is a safe and effective option in lowering pain and complications following adenotonsillectomy in various pediatric age groups. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 3 to 17 years
Conditions the study is for
Adenotonsillectomy, Analgesia, Surgery
What is being tested?
Dexamethasone, Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
222 participants
Where
2 sitesUnited States
Study dates
5 Aug 2021to 11 Jul 2023
Phase
Phase 3
Are there results?
Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 3 to 17 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Child

Who may be able to join

  • Patients age 3 - 17 undergoing adenotonsillectomy meet inclusion criteria

Who cannot join

  • Patients with Down syndrome
  • Patients with a history of coagulopathy
  • Patients with craniofacial abnormalities other than plagiocephaly or submucous cleft palate (SMCP)
  • Caregivers who cannot speak, read, or write in English proficiently
  • Patients who take systemic corticosteroids during the enrollment period
  • Patients who take opioids during the enrollment period
Show all 13Show fewer
  • Patients who take chronic opioids
  • Patients who are pregnant
  • Patients with allergy to or contraindication for taking any of the study medications
  • Patients who have the inability to communicate
  • Patients who have the inability to localize pain
  • Patients who have type 1 diabetes
  • Patients who have type 2 diabetes

Trial locations and contacts

2 sites in 1 country.

United States2 sites
  • UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh

    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15224

  • Children's Hospital North Surgery Center

    Sewickley, Pennsylvania, 15143

Other trials in United States

About this study

The goal of this study is determine if an oral systemic course of steroids is a safe and effective option in lowering pain and complications following adenotonsillectomy in various pediatric age groups. A double blind, placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial of steroids (dexamethasone) versus placebo postoperatively will be performed. Investigators will determine if there is a difference in post-operative pain and complications between groups.

Read the detailed description

Purpose: To determine if post-operative dexamethasone is a safe and effective option in the reduction of post-operative pain and morbidity following adenotonsillectomy in various pediatric age groups.

Methods: The subject population will be patients between the ages of 3 and 17 who will undergo adenotonsillectomy. The study will consist of two double-blinded arms - patients receiving a course of oral dexamethasone (doses on post-operative days 2, 4, and 6; 0.5 mg/kg; max dose: 20 mg) in addition to standard pain control regimen and patients receiving an oral placebo course in addition to standard pain control regimen. In the diary they will receive, patients or caregivers will record when specific pain medications were taken each day, a symptoms survey, and pain ratings measured by the Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale. Patients are able to return their diary at a post-operative appointment at CHP Main, through email by scanning the diary or taking pictures with their phone, or through mailing in the survey in a pre-stamped envelope. Demographic information such as age, race, gender, and household income will be extracted from the diary and the electronic medical record. Information such as surgical technique, concurrent operations, post-operative pain prescription (types, weight based dosage, and total days prescribed) will be extracted from the electronic medical record and recorded as well. Outcomes measured will include pain scale rating and rates of complications between the two groups.

Significance: If it can be demonstrated that dexamethasone after adenotonsillectomy can reduce pain, complications, or need for opioid analgesics without appreciable side effects, a strong argument can be made for the addition of this inexpensive medication to routine post-operative adenotonsillectomy care. This would help with limiting the burden of clinical course of tonsillectomy.

The primary and secondary outcome measures were refined prior to analysis. Originally, the primary outcome measure was "average pain burden" defined as "average pain over 14 post-operative days before and after medications." However, study medication was not administered until day 2, and the power analysis was based on a study by Palme et al (2000) that compared mean pain ratings on postoperative days 2-8. Therefore, the primary outcome was revised to "average pain over 2-8 post-operative days before medications." Average pain over 2-8 post-operative after medications was added as a secondary outcome. The original primary outcome combined analysis of pain before and after medication into one measure. However, pain scores were more commonly reported prior to medication than after. Due to missing post-medication scores, it was determined that the analysis would be more appropriately conducted separately for pain scores before and after medication.

Being tested
Dexamethasone, Ibuprofen, Acetaminophen, Placebo
Keywords
Pediatric Otolaryngology, Steroid, Placebo, Post-operative pain
Medical subject headings
Agnosia, Pain, Postoperative

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • DexamethasoneDrug

    IV Dexamethasone Sodium Phosphate will be prescribed orally at a dose of 0.5mg/kg with a max dose of 20mg to be taken the morning of days 2, 4, and 6 post-operatively. The Dexamethasone will be mixed by the parents with 5mL of pre-packaged cherry syrup

  • IbuprofenDrug

    Ibuprofen will be prescribed at 10 mg/kg to be taken every 6 hours for the first three post-operative days. After the first three days, the subject should take the ibuprofen every 6 hours as needed for pain control. The daily dose of ibuprofen is not to exceed 1200mg or more than 4 individual doses. It will be prescribed in liquid suspension form for ease of use in pediatric populations. Subjects or parents will purchase this medication and dosage will be given to subjects in easy-to-understand language.

  • AcetaminophenDrug

    Acetaminophen will be prescribed at 15mg/kg to be taken every 4 hours for the first three days, except when sleeping. After the first three days, the subject should take the acetaminophen every 4 hours as needed for pain control. The daily dose of acetaminophen is not to exceed 5 doses in 24 hours. It will be prescribed in liquid suspension form for ease of use in pediatric populations. Subjects or parents will purchase this medication and dosage will be given to subjects in easy-to-understand language.

  • PlaceboDrug

    An equal volume of water will be prescribed to patients (0.5mg/kg) with a max dose of 20mg to be taken the morning of days 2, 4, and 6 post-operatively. The placebo (water) will be mixed by the parents with 5mL of pre-packaged cherry syrup.

Study groups in NCT04879823
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
DexamethasoneExperimentalIV Dexamethasone Sodium Phosphate will be prescribed orally at a dose of 0.5mg/kg with a max dose of 20mg to be taken the morning of days 2, 4, and 6 post-operatively. The Dexamethasone will be mixed by the parents with 5mL of pre-packaged cherry syrup. Patients will also receive acetaminophen and ibuprofen. Acetaminophen will be prescribed at 15mg/kg to be taken every 4 hours for the first three days, except when sleeping. Ibuprofen will be prescribed at 10 mg/kg to be taken every 6 hours for the first three post-operative days. Patients and parents/caregivers will be asked to complete a pain diary which will be used to determine the level of pain control achieved with this regimen. Families will also be asked daily to check symptoms that were experienced by the child and their child's current comfortable diet. The diary will be completed by post-operative day 14. The diary will be returned via email, mail, or a post-operative appointment at the main hospital.
Receives: Drug: Dexamethasone; Drug: Ibuprofen; Drug: Acetaminophen
PlaceboPlacebo comparatorAn equal volume of water will be prescribed to patients (0.5mg/kg) with a max dose of 20mg to be taken the morning of days 2, 4, and 6 post-operatively. The placebo (water) will be mixed by the parents with 5mL of pre-packaged cherry syrup. Patients will also receive acetaminophen and ibuprofen. Acetaminophen will be prescribed at 15mg/kg to be taken every 4 hours for the first three days, except when sleeping. Ibuprofen will be prescribed at 10 mg/kg to be taken every 6 hours for the first three post-operative days. Patients and parents/caregivers will be asked to complete a pain diary which will be used to determine the level of pain control achieved with this regimen. Families will also be asked daily to check symptoms that were experienced by the child and their child's current comfortable diet. The diary will be completed by post-operative day 14. The diary will be returned via email, mail, or a post-operative appointment at the main hospital.
Receives: Drug: Ibuprofen; Drug: Acetaminophen; Drug: Placebo

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Average Pain Over 2-8 Post-operative Days Before Medications

    Average pain over 2-8 post-operative days before medications. This is quantified using the validated Wong-Baker FACES pain metric. The scale is from 0 to 10 with 10 being worse outcome. Patients receive a take-home pain diary and for 14 days report their maximum pain both before and after taking each pain medication. The mean of the pain ratings prior to taking pain medications from post-operative days 2-8 will be the primary outcome measure.

    Measured: 2-8 days post-operatively

Secondary outcomes (2)
  1. ED (Emergency Department) or Urgent Care Visits

    Number of emergency department or urgent care visits in 30 post-operative days - assessed via the electronic medical record and the take-home pain diary.

    Measured: 30 days post-operatively

  2. Average Pain Burden Post-medication

    Average pain over 2-8 post-operative days after medications. This is quantified using the validated Wong-Baker FACES pain metric. The scale is from 0 to 10 with 10 being worse outcome. Patients receive a take-home pain diary and for 14 days report their maximum pain both before and after taking each pain medication. The mean of the pain ratings one hour after talking pain medications from post-operative days 2-8 will be a secondary outcome measure.

    Measured: 2-8 days post-operatively

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted10 May 2021
  2. Study start5 Aug 2021
  3. Primary completion11 Jul 2023
  4. Study completion11 Jul 2023

Why it stopped: slow recruitment

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase 3
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Model description
Double blind placebo controlled randomized clinical trial
Masking
Quadruple blind
Who is masked
Participant, Care provider, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
222 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT04879823
Sponsor's protocol ID
STUDY20120036
Status last verified
Aug 2024
First submitted
4 May 2021
Last updated
5 Sep 2024
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
Yes
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No: Only co-investigators as listed under the University of Pittsburgh IRB (Institutional Review Board) protocol for this study will have access to all data and analysis. Data will be shared via UPMC-associated OneDrive and will only be shared between these investigators.

Publications

  • Gerbershagen HJ, Aduckathil S, van Wijck AJ, Peelen LM, Kalkman CJ, Meissner W. Pain intensity on the first day after surgery: a prospective cohort study comparing 179 surgical procedures. Anesthesiology. 2013 Apr;118(4):934-44. doi: 10.1097/ALN.0b013e31828866b3.

    PubMed 23392233
  • Whelan RL, McCoy J, Mirson L, Chi DH. Opioid prescription and postoperative outcomes in pediatric patients. Laryngoscope. 2019 Jun;129(6):1477-1481. doi: 10.1002/lary.27614. Epub 2018 Dec 26.

    PubMed 30585626
  • Borgstrom A, Nerfeldt P, Friberg D. Postoperative pain and bleeding after adenotonsillectomy versus adenotonsillotomy in pediatric obstructive sleep apnea: an RCT. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2019 Nov;276(11):3231-3238. doi: 10.1007/s00405-019-05571-w. Epub 2019 Aug 3.

    PubMed 31377901
  • Titirungruang C, Seresirikachorn K, Kasemsuwan P, Hirunwiwatkul P. The use of steroids to reduce complications after tonsillectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2019 Feb;276(2):585-604. doi: 10.1007/s00405-018-5202-2. Epub 2018 Nov 17.

    PubMed 30448929
  • Macassey E, Dawes P, Taylor B, Gray A. The effect of a postoperative course of oral prednisone on postoperative morbidity following childhood tonsillectomy. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2012 Sep;147(3):551-6. doi: 10.1177/0194599812447776. Epub 2012 May 14.

    PubMed 22585378
  • Redmann AJ, Maksimoski M, Brumbaugh C, Ishman SL. The effect of postoperative steroids on post-tonsillectomy pain and need for postoperative physician contact. Laryngoscope. 2018 Sep;128(9):2187-2192. doi: 10.1002/lary.27167. Epub 2018 Mar 24.

    PubMed 29573428
  • Greenwell AG, Isaiah A, Pereira KD. Recovery After Adenotonsillectomy-Do Steroids Help? Outcomes From a Randomized Controlled Trial. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2021 Jul;165(1):83-88. doi: 10.1177/0194599820973250. Epub 2020 Nov 24.

    PubMed 33228459
  • Garra G, Singer AJ, Taira BR, Chohan J, Cardoz H, Chisena E, Thode HC Jr. Validation of the Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale in pediatric emergency department patients. Acad Emerg Med. 2010 Jan;17(1):50-4. doi: 10.1111/j.1553-2712.2009.00620.x. Epub 2009 Dec 9.

    PubMed 20003121
  • Palme CE, Tomasevic P, Pohl DV. Evaluating the effects of oral prednisolone on recovery after tonsillectomy: a prospective, double-blind, randomized trial. Laryngoscope. 2000 Dec;110(12):2000-4. doi: 10.1097/00005537-200012000-00003.

    PubMed 11129008
  • Feinberg AE, Chesney TR, Srikandarajah S, Acuna SA, McLeod RS; Best Practice in Surgery Group. Opioid Use After Discharge in Postoperative Patients: A Systematic Review. Ann Surg. 2018 Jun;267(6):1056-1062. doi: 10.1097/SLA.0000000000002591.

    PubMed 29215370
  • Monitto CL, Hsu A, Gao S, Vozzo PT, Park PS, Roter D, Yenokyan G, White ED, Kattail D, Edgeworth AE, Vasquenza KJ, Atwater SE, Shay JE, George JA, Vickers BA, Kost-Byerly S, Lee BH, Yaster M. Opioid Prescribing for the Treatment of Acute Pain in Children on Hospital Discharge. Anesth Analg. 2017 Dec;125(6):2113-2122. doi: 10.1213/ANE.0000000000002586.

    PubMed 29189368
  • Shaffer AD, Omar M, Maguire RC, Dohar JE, Stapleton AL, Kitsko DJ, Tobey ABJ, Padia R, Simons JP, Whelan RL, Jabbour N, McCoy JL, Rushchak MV, Nguyen K, Hall-Burton DM, Chi DH. Postoperative Oral Dexamethasone and Pediatric Tonsillectomy Morbidity: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2026 Jul 23:e261910. doi: 10.1001/jamaoto.2026.1910. Online ahead of print.

    PubMed 42490074

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 3 study testing Dexamethasone, Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen in people with Adenotonsillectomy and Analgesia, run by David Chi, MD at 2 sites in United States.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 13 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: stopped early, as of the sponsor's last update on 5 Sep 2024. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 2 sites in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

What does this phase mean?

Phase 3 studies compare the treatment with the current standard treatment or a placebo in a large group, to confirm how well it works and watch for side effects.

Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.

Are results available for this study?

Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 5 Sep 2024). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Average Pain Over 2-8 Post-operative Days Before Medications (time frame: 2-8 days post-operatively). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT04879823, which also lists 12 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 5 Sep 2024.

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