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Pediatric Otolaryngology

We Know Your Pain: Strategies to Improve Pediatric Posttonsillectomy Recovery

Tuesday, October 3, 2023
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM East Coast USA Time
Location: 101E

    Moderator(s)

  • David H. Chi, MD

    Division Chief
    University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh
    Pittsburgh, PA, United States

    • Panelist(s)

  • Jake P. Dahl, MD, PhD, MBA

    Associate Professor of Pediatric Otolaryngology
    University of Washington, Seattle Children's Hospital
    Seattle, WA, United States

  • Patrick C. Walz, MD

    Associate Professor
    Nationwide Children's Hospital/Ohio State University
    Columbus, OH, United States

  • Christina J. Yang, MD

    Associate Professor
    Montefiore Medical Center / Albert Einstein College of Medicine
    Bronx, NY, United States

Disclosure(s):
Jake P. Dahl, MD, PhD, MBA: No relevant relationships to disclose.
Patrick C. Walz, MD: No relevant relationships to disclose.
Christina J. Yang, MD: No relevant relationships to disclose.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: Tonsillectomies are one of the most common procedures in the United States and are considered one of the most painful procedures with most individuals rating pain 8-9 out 10. Pain control can be challenging in the pediatric population. There is still a sentiment that non-opioids may not provide adequate pain control and may increase likelihood of post-operative bleeds. More concerning is that even with black box warnings, clinicians still prescribe codeine to their pediatric patients.
The goal of this session is to discuss evidence-based strategies to provide perioperative pain control and minimize the risk of opioid abuse after tonsillectomy. This session was presented previously in a panel discussion format and feedback was positive. This session will continue to provide evidence-based strategies in pediatric pain control that the audience can adopt. This panel will review the harm of opioid use in pediatric population.
The remainder of the session will focus on providing up-to-date data regarding the risk and benefits of non-opioid medications and highlight strategies to reduce opioid prescribing while presenting protocols that can be introduced into practice. Significant time will be devoted to question and answer as well as sharing tips and tricks to address perioperative pain in a safe manner.

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 1: Discuss the history and harm of using opioids in pediatric populations including health disparities.

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 2: Evaluate the evidence regarding use of non-opioid medications in post-tonsillectomy pain management.

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 3: Implement strategies and protocols for non-opioid pain management in pediatric tonsillectomies

BACKGROUND STATEMENT: There continues to be a failure to recognize the harm of using opioids in the pediatric population as well as a misperception regarding the risks of using medications such as NSAIDs. This session provides an evidence-based discussion with tangible take home points for the audience.