Ropivacaine compared to bupivacaine for post-tonsillectomy pain relief in children: a randomized controlled study

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of ropivacaine and bupivacaine on post-tonsillectomy pain in children. METHODS: Forty-six children aged 2-12 years, undergoing tonsillectomy were enrolled in the study. Group 1 (n=16) received bupivacaine, group 2 (n=15) received ropivacaine, and a group 3 (control) (n=15) received 9% NaCl (saline) infiltrated around each tonsil. Pain was evaluated using a modified Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Pain Scale (mCHEOPS) recorded 15 min and 1, 4, 12, 16, and 24h postoperatively. RESULTS: No difference was found in the demographic data among the groups. The pain scores were similar between the bupivacaine and ropivacaine groups (p>0.05). The pain scores in both analgesia groups were significantly (p<0.05) lower 1, 4, 12, 16, and 24h postoperatively compared to the control group. Analgesic requirements and the time to first analgesia were also significantly (p<0.05) different between the analgesia and control groups. CONCLUSION: Local ropivacaine infiltration is a safe and effective method and equivalent to bupivacaine for post-tonsillectomy pain.