The feasibility of pain treatment at home after adenoidectomy with ketoprofen tablets in small children.

In this study, we investigated the feasibility of pain treatment using ketoprofen 25 mg tablets (5 mg x kg(-1) x day(-1)) at home in children after daycase adenoidectomy. We also determined the adverse events and the incidence of postoperative bleeding during the first week after surgery. Initially, we studied 611 children aged 1-9 years. The study design was prospective, longitudinal, and open. The final data consisted of 555 (91%) children, and 522 children who received ketoprofen at home. The parents administered four (1-10, median with 10th and 90th percentiles) ketoprofen tablets to their children during the first week. A total of 20% of the parents experienced problems in administering tablets, and problems were three times more common in children under 48 months compared to older children. The main problems were swallowing difficulties and the unpleasant taste of the tablet. Neither serious adverse events, nor clinically significant bleeding occurred. Ketoprofen at the dose of 5 mg x kg(-1) x day(-1) proved to be a safe analgesic in children for short-term use after adenoidectomy.