Clinical otolaryngology : official journal of ENT-UK ; official journal of Netherlands Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology & Cervico-Facial Surgery
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Although the literature suggests that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are effective in controlling post-operative pain in the paediatric population, physicians have been reluctant to utilise these medications after tonsillectomy due to concerns of increased bleeding rates. While many surgeons prescribe opioid analgesics postoperatively, these are associated with a number of potential adverse side-effects including nausea, vomiting, constipation, excessive sedation and respiratory compromise. ⋯ These results suggest that NSAIDs can be considered as a safe method of analgesia among children undergoing tonsillectomy.