Dexmedetomidine Use in SZMN Blocks for Pediatric T&A Pain Control

Description

The suprazygomatic maxillary nerve (SZMN) block is a well-established, safe and effective regional technique for pain management following cleft palate procedures. However, it has not been studied for patients undergoing tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy (T\&A) procedures. The goal of this study is to determine whether the SZMN block can be utilized to improve pain control and decrease morbidity in pediatric patients undergoing T\&A. An additional goal will be to determine whether the use of dexmedetomidine as a local anesthetic adjunct can prolong the analgesic effects of the SZMN block to cover the entire duration of pain experienced.

Conditions

Postoperative Pain, Opioid Use

Study Overview

Study Details

Study overview

The suprazygomatic maxillary nerve (SZMN) block is a well-established, safe and effective regional technique for pain management following cleft palate procedures. However, it has not been studied for patients undergoing tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy (T\&A) procedures. The goal of this study is to determine whether the SZMN block can be utilized to improve pain control and decrease morbidity in pediatric patients undergoing T\&A. An additional goal will be to determine whether the use of dexmedetomidine as a local anesthetic adjunct can prolong the analgesic effects of the SZMN block to cover the entire duration of pain experienced.

Dexmedetomidine Use in Suprazygomatic Maxillary Nerve Blocks for Pediatric Adenotonsillectomy Pain Control

Dexmedetomidine Use in SZMN Blocks for Pediatric T&A Pain Control

Condition
Postoperative Pain
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Palo Alto

Lucile Packard Childrens Hospital, Palo Alto, California, United States, 94304

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * Ages 6 months - 18 years
  • * Give consent/parental consent to participate in study
  • * Patients undergoing tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy
  • * Participants who do not consent or have parental consent
  • * Patients who require urgent/emergent intervention
  • * Patients who undergo additional combined surgical procedures with separate incisions (in addition to the adenotonsillectomy)
  • * Patients with known difficult airway, clinical hemodynamic instability, coagulopathy, chronic pain history, chronic pain medication use, and unrepaired congenital heart disease
  • * Patients under age 6 months

Ages Eligible for Study

6 Months to 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Collaborators and Investigators

Stanford University,

Ban CH Tsui, MD, STUDY_DIRECTOR, Stanford University

Stephanie Pan, MD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, Stanford University

Study Record Dates

2025-12