Comparison of the Effects of Sufentanil and Fentanyl on Postoperative Sleep Quality of Children Undergoing Tonsillectomy and Adenotomy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE: The primary purpose was to compare the effects of sufentanil and fentanyl on the postoperative sleep quality. And the secondary purposes were to evaluate perioperative hemodynamics, postoperative pain and complications of children undergoing tonsillectomy and adenotomy. METHODS: Seventy-six patients were randomly assigned to the sufentanil or fentanyl group. The subjective sleep quality was assessed by the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS) on the night before surgery (Sleep preop 1), the first night after surgery (Sleep POD 1), and the third night after surgery (Sleep POD 3). The Faces Pain Scale-Revised (FPS-R) was used to evaluate the postoperative pain level 24 hours after surgery. The Observer’s Assessment of Alertness and Sedation (OAA/S) scale was used to assess the level of sedation in children. Perioperative hemodynamics and adverse effects were also evaluated. RESULTS: The AIS score in the sufentanil group was significantly lower at Sleep POD 1 and Sleep POD 3 (P < 0.001, respectively). Children in the sufentanil group had significantly lower FPS-R scores at 2, 4, and 6 hours after surgery (P = 0.004, P = 0.004, and P = 0.001, respectively). The intraoperative hemodynamic parameters were more stable (P < 0.05, respectively) and the OAA/S scores at 2 hours after surgery were lower in the sufentanil group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting between the two groups (P = 0.435). CONCLUSION: Children undergoing tonsillectomy and adenotomy after general anesthesia who received sufentanil had better postoperative sleep quality and less postoperative pain at 2, 4, and 6 hours post operation. Moreover, children who received sufentanil showed better hemodynamic stability during surgery. Therefore, sufentanil should be considered as a better choice to facilitate rapid recovery in children following tonsillectomy and adenotomy.