Randomized clinical trial comparing the efficacy and safety of ketamine and fentanyl for analgesia in pediatric orthopedic procedures

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Bone fractures constitute a frequent cause of emergency care in the pediatric population. Opioid drugs are routinely used for analgesia during the hospitalization of children victims of trauma. Few studies have evaluated the importance of a multimodal approach to analgesia in this context. The aim of this study was to compare the analgesic effect and possible side effects of fentanyl compared to those of ketamine. METHODS: The study analyzed 50 children and adolescents, aged between 24 and 192 months, submitted to surgical treatment of upper limb fractures in a tertiary trauma care hospital. The participants were randomized into two groups: one that received Ketamine and the other Fentanyl. In the post-anesthetic recovery room (PARR), pain intensity and the occurrence of delirium were measured for a period of 30 minutes. The incidence of respiratory depression, nausea, vomiting and other side effects during the surgical procedure were assessed. RESULTS: The sample consisted mostly of male individuals (76.0%). The mean age of the participants was 90.1 months. The use of a low-flow oxygen cannula was necessary in 30.0% of the participants. The incidence of vomiting and laryngospasm was 2.0% among the participants, and 6.0% presented increased salivary secretion. The occurrence of pain, delirium and respiratory depression was not different between the two assessed groups, as well as the occurrence of nausea and laryngospasm. CONCLUSION: Ketamine is not an effective and safe option to opioids for analgesia in children undergoing surgical procedures to treat upper limb fractures.

Keywords

• child
• delirium
• fracture fixation
• ketamine
• pain