Opioid-free anesthesia for kids undergoing tonsil surgery

Opioid Sparing Anesthesia Care for Pediatric Patients Having Tonsil Surgery; a Randomized, Controlled, Non-inferiority Study

Not applicable Interventional Boston Children's Hospital · NCT06326983

This study is testing if a new anesthesia method that doesn't use opioids can help kids have tonsil surgery with less pain and quicker recovery compared to the usual opioid-based method.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment58 (estimated)
Ages3 Years to 17 Years
SexAll
SponsorBoston Children's Hospital Academic / other
Locations1 site (Waltham, Massachusetts)
Trial IDNCT06326983 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial evaluates the effectiveness of an opioid-sparing anesthesia plan compared to a traditional opioid-based plan for pediatric patients undergoing tonsil surgeries at Boston Children's Hospital Waltham. The study is a prospective, randomized, controlled, non-inferiority trial that aims to assess perioperative analgesia and recovery time. Secondary outcomes include the need for rescue opioids, incidence of emergence delirium, post-operative nausea and vomiting, and other intraoperative measures. The goal is to determine if the opioid-sparing approach can provide similar or better outcomes without the risks associated with opioid use.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are children aged 3 to 17 scheduled for tonsillectomy or tonsillotomy at Boston Children's Hospital Waltham.

Not a fit: Patients not undergoing primary tonsillectomy/tonsillotomy or those with certain medical conditions, such as coagulopathies or chronic pain syndromes, may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could reduce opioid use in pediatric patients, minimizing the risk of opioid-related side effects.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promising results with opioid-sparing techniques in various surgical settings, suggesting potential for success in this approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* American Society of Anesthesia classification status I-III
* Ages 3 years to 17 years
* Scheduled for tonsillectomy or tonsillotomy with or without adenoidectomy at Boston Children's Hospital Waltham

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients not scheduled for primary tonsillectomy/tonsillotomy.
* Patients with known coagulopathies
* Patients with previous chronic pain syndromes
* Patients with any condition/indication that would prevent them from being able to be randomized (i.e. allergy to one of the study medications)

Where this trial is running

Waltham, Massachusetts

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions TonsillitisPost-operative Nausea and VomitingEmergence DeliriumOpioid Analgesic Adverse ReactionAnesthesiaPain
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.