Intranasal dexmedetomidine‑esketamine for pain relief after adenoid and tonsil surgery in children

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

Children aged 3–7 scheduled for adenoidectomy and/or tonsillectomy will receive either intranasal dexmedetomidine‑esketamine or an intranasal saline placebo and be followed for postoperative pain and recovery measures. The combination is chosen because dexmedetomidine and esketamine provide complementary sedation and analgesia while minimizing respiratory depression, and intranasal delivery avoids injections. Key outcomes include pain scores and analgesic use in the first two postoperative days and rates of return to hospital for pain or dehydration. Standard exclusions apply for nasal disease, significant cardiopulmonary conditions, major developmental or sensory impairments, abnormal liver/kidney function, high anesthesia risk, obesity, or drug allergy.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Aged 3-7 years old.
* Scheduled to undergo adenoidectomy and/or tonsillectomy under general anesthesia.
* Provides written informed consent by the guardian.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Unsuitable for intranasal administration due to nasal diseases (such as rhinitis, nasal polyps, or any condition causing nasal congestion).
* Clearly diagnosed cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.
* Communication barriers due to delayed neurological development or visual or hearing impairments.
* Traumatic brain injury or neurosurgery.
* Abnormal liver and kidney function (biomarkers higher than twice of the upper normal limits).
* Amercian Society of Anesthesiologists classification ≥ III.
* Body mass index higher than the 95th percentile of the age- and sex-standardized references.
* Allergic to dexmedetomidine and/or esketamine.
* Any other conditions that are deemed unsuitable for study participation.

Where it's running

• Peking University First Hospital
  Beijing, Beijing Municipality, China Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Dong-Xin Wang, MD, PhD — Peking University First Hospital
• Study coordinator: Dong-Xin Wang, MD, PhD
• Email: wangdongxin@hotmail.com
• Phone: 01083572784

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

• Perfusion Index to Measure Postoperative Pain in Kids After Adenotonsillectomy

  This study tests whether the perfusion index can reliably reflect pain levels in children aged 1–12 after adenotonsillectomy, comparing standard care with an added glossopharyngeal nerve block.

  Recruiting Istanbul University · Istanbul, Istanbul · NCT07915804

• Dexmedetomidine and esketamine given around surgery to improve recovery after general anesthesia

  This trial will test whether giving dexmedetomidine, esketamine, or both during the perioperative period helps adults recover better after surgery under general anesthesia.

  Recruiting Phase 4 Peking University First Hospital · Beijing, Beijing Municipality · NCT07308756

• Remimazolam, dexmedetomidine, or esketamine to calm young children before surgery

  This trial will test which of three drugs—remimazolam, dexmedetomidine, or esketamine—best calms children aged 2–5 before adenotonsillectomy and reduces postoperative agitation.

  Recruiting Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Hubei Province · Wuhan, Hubei · NCT07050212

• Comparing dexmedetomidine and bupivacaine for pain management after brain surgery

  This study is testing if adding dexmedetomidine to bupivacaine can help reduce pain better after brain surgery compared to using bupivacaine alone.

  Recruiting Ain Shams University · Cairo · NCT06993922

• Combining dexmedetomidine and esketamine to improve sleep after major surgery

  This study is testing whether a mix of two medications, dexmedetomidine and esketamine, can help adults sleep better after major surgery compared to a placebo.

  Recruiting Phase 4 Peking University First Hospital · Beijing · NCT06859892

• Using dexmedetomidine and esketamine for sedation in young children before surgery

  This study tests if a combination of two medications, dexmedetomidine and esketamine, can help young children feel calm and relaxed before surgery.

  Recruiting Phase 4 Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University · Wenzhou, Zhejiang and 1 other locations · NCT06853431

How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.