Dexmedetomidine for Immediate Perioperative Analgesia in Pediatric Patients Undergoing Tonsillectomy

Inclusion Criteria

• All of the following criteria must be met for the potential subject to be eligible for participation:
• The subject is 2 to 12 years of age
• The subject's American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status is ASA I or II (see appendix 1).
• The subject is scheduled for elective tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy surgery (procedures with myringotomy tube placement are allowed).
• The subject will be hospitalized overnight after surgery
• The subject's parent/legally authorized guardian has given written informed consent to participate; and where applicable, the subject has given appropriate assent to participate.

Exclusion Criteria

• The potential subject is NOT eligible for participation if any of the following exclusion criteria apply:
• The subject has a history or a family (parent or sibling) history of malignant hyperthermia
• The subject has known significant renal or hepatic disorders determined by medical history, physical examination or laboratory tests.
• The subject has a known or suspected allergy to opioid analgesics
• The subject is a pregnant or lactating female (if post-menarcheal, a negative pregnancy test must be confirmed prior to the planned surgery time (in AMSAC) consistent with current standard of care.
• The subject has history of. cardiovascular issues which would preclude the use of dexmedetomidine, (e.g. Down's Syndrome, dysrhthymias, conditions where hypotension is to be avoided).