Pediatric Pain Optimization After Tonsillectomy

The purpose of this study is to compare the use of short acting opioids (fentanyl/hydromorphone) with long acting opioids (methadone) for pain control following tonsillectomy surgery.

This is a single center, randomized, double blind, parallel-group dose escalation investigation which will compare post operative pain control indices for patients receiving short acting versus long acting opioids as intraoperative analgesics. Surgical and anesthesia care, except for intraoperative opioid management, are not altered for study purposes. Subjects are randomized 2:1 to either long-duration (methadone) or short-duration opioid (fentanyl, hydromorphone) through the perioperative period. Exploratory data will be collected for up to 30 days post-operatively.