Ultrasound-guided glossopharyngeal and maxillary nerve blocks for pain control after adenotonsillectomy

Ultrasound Guided Glossopharyngeal and Maxillary Nerve Blocks for Perioperative Pain Control in Adenotonsillectomy in Pediatrics: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Not applicable Interventional Cairo University · NCT07379866

Doctors will test whether adding ultrasound-guided glossopharyngeal and maxillary nerve blocks to usual pain control reduces pain after adenotonsillectomy in children aged 5–13.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment40 (estimated)
Ages5 Years to 13 Years
SexAll
SponsorCairo University Academic / other
Locations1 site (Cairo, Governorate)
Trial IDNCT07379866 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This randomized interventional study enrolls pediatric patients aged 5 to 13 undergoing adenotonsillectomy at Cairo University Hospitals. After standard premedication and induction of general anesthesia, participants are randomized to receive combined bilateral ultrasound-guided glossopharyngeal and maxillary nerve blocks plus standard multimodal analgesia or to receive standard multimodal analgesia alone (placebo block group). Standard intraoperative monitoring, IV analgesics including paracetamol, and anesthetic techniques are used for all patients. Outcomes focus on postoperative pain control and analgesic requirements following the operation.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are children aged 5–13 years with ASA physical status I–II who are scheduled for adenotonsillectomy and have no contraindication to local anesthetics or nerve block procedures.

Not a fit: Children who are ASA class III–IV, morbidly obese, have infection at the injection site, recent upper respiratory infection, allergy to local anesthetics, developmental delays, recent regular analgesic use, or whose parents refuse participation are not eligible and would not receive benefit from this protocol.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the nerve-block approach could lower postoperative pain and reduce the need for systemic opioids in children after adenotonsillectomy.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies of regional nerve blocks for tonsillectomy have reported reduced postoperative pain and opioid use, though combined ultrasound-guided glossopharyngeal plus maxillary blocks are less extensively studied.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Pediatric patients aged 5 to 13 years
* American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I-II scheduled for adenotonsillectomy.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Parents Refusal
* Cognitive impairment or developmental delays.
* Infection at injection site.
* Recent upper respiratory tract infection.
* Post-tonsillectomy bleeding, allergy to local anesthetics.
* American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class III and IV.
* Morbid obesity.
* Those receiving regular analgesia within the last week before surgery.

Where this trial is running

Cairo, Governorate

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 RegionalAdenotonsillectomyUltrasoundGlossopharyngealPediatrics
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 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.