NCT03528343 - Narcotic vs. Non-narcotic Pain Regimens After Pediatric Appendectomy | Crick

Overview

There is concern that pain prescription after outpatient pediatric surgical procedures is excessive and is in excess of patient need. Current practice following pediatric appendectomy is to prescribe all children with 5-15 doses of narcotic pain medication upon discharge regardless of their age, severity of appendicitis, or pain control in the hospital. This study examines the amount of narcotic pain control required by pediatric patients after undergoing appendectomy using a randomized controlled trial study design. Pain control will be assessed with a post-operative pain scale, patient satisfaction survey, and parent satisfaction survey on the days following surgery and at post-operative follow-up. The hypothesis is that the pain scores and patient satisfaction surveys will show no difference in post-operative pain control between the two arms.

There is concern that pain prescription after outpatient pediatric surgical procedures is excessive and is in excess of patient need. Current practice following pediatric appendectomy is to prescribe all children with 5-15 doses of narcotic pain medication upon discharge regardless of their age, severity of appendicitis, or pain control in the hospital. This study examines the amount of narcotic pain control required by pediatric patients after undergoing appendectomy using a randomized controlled trial study design. Children admitted after undergoing surgical management for a diagnosis of acute appendicitis will be randomized at discharge to a narcotic arm or a tylenol/motrin arm. The narcotic arm will receive the standard of care narcotic prescription. The tylenol/motrin arm will receive education to use tylenol and motrin for pain control as well as a paper prescription provided for the sole purpose of rescue. Pain control will be assessed with a post-operative pain scale, patient satisfaction survey, and parent satisfaction survey on the days following surgery and at post-operative follow-up. The hypothesis is that the pain scores and patient satisfaction surveys will show no difference in post-operative pain control between the two arms.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Conditions

Appendicitis Pain, Postoperative

Interventions

Non-narcotic pain controlDRUG

Education to use tylenol and motrin only for pain control unless this is unable to control pain. Rescue prescription provided.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMax age: 18 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Children ages 0 to 18 years old * Patients have undergone appendectomy by any technique (open, laparoscopic, single-port) Exclusion Criteria: * Patients on chronic opioids * Patient undergoes a more extensive or additional procedures at the time of operation due to complications or other indication * Pregnancy

Locations (1)

Primary Children's Hospital

Salt Lake City, Utah, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Parental pain control satisfaction using Parental Post-operative Pain Measure (PPPM)

Parental satisfaction with pain control at home following pediatric appendectomy as assessed by the validated Parental Post-operative Pain Measure (PPPM)

Time frame: 2-week follow-up visit

Secondary Outcomes

Parental pain control satisfaction using Parental Post-operative Pain Measure (PPPM)

Parental satisfaction with pain control at home following pediatric appendectomy as assessed by Parental Post-operative Pain Measure (PPPM)

Time frame: Changes from in-hospital, days 1-3 following discharge, and 2-week follow-up

Patient pain control satisfaction using adaptation of Parental Post-operative Pain Measure (PPPM)

Patient satisfaction with pain control at home following pediatric appendectomy as assessed by an adaptation of Parental Post-operative Pain Measure (PPPM)

Time frame: Changes from in-hospital, days 1-3 following discharge, and 2-week follow-up

Patient pain scores using Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale

Patient description of pain control using validated Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale. This scale presents the subject with a series of 6 depictions of faces and a text description of pain level. The range is from 0 "No Hurt" to 10 "Hurts Worst".

Time frame: Changes from in-hospital, days 1-3 following discharge, and 2-week follow-up

Number of pain medications used

Time frame: Post-operative days 1-14 (until follow-up)

Days of pain medication requirement after discharge

Number of days patient required pain medication