I.v. intraoperative ketoprofen in small children during adenoidectomy: a dose-finding study.

We have investigated if a low dose of ketoprofen (0.3 mg kg-1) i.v., provided as good analgesia with less adverse effects than higher doses (1.0 and 3.0 mg kg-1) in 220 children, aged 1-7 yr, undergoing adenoidectomy, in a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group study. The postoperative analgesic effect was notable even after the lowest dose of ketoprofen. However, the higher doses seemed to provide better analgesia with no increase in adverse events or intraoperative bleeding. None of the children experienced postoperative bleeding which would have required intervention or delayed discharge from hospital. This study confirms the efficacy and safety of intraoperative ketoprofen in children during adenoidectomy.