The Safety of Early Administration of Oral Fluid Following General Anesthesia in Children Undergoing Tonsil Operation: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract Background: The feasibility and safety of giving a small amount of water to children in the recovery period after tonsillectomy under general anesthesia to reduce the thirst and its associated restlessness reaction remain unknown. Methods: This study was approved by our institutional ethics committee, and which adhered to CONSORT guidelines. Pediatric patients undergoing tonsil surgery who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria of our study were randomized into the experimental and control groups. In the experimental group, patients were given a small amount of water instantly after recovering from the general anesthesia, which included the recovery of cough and deglutition reflex, and attaining grade V of muscle strength. The control group was given a small amount of water 4 to 6 hours after the operation. The incidence of nausea and vomiting and the degree of thirst relief were measured and compared between the two groups. Results：300 patients were randomized into each group. There was no significant difference in the incidence of nausea and vomiting 20 minutes after drinking water between the two groups (P>0.05). The thirst score of children over 5 years old in the experimental group was significantly lower than that of the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: The early administration of a small amount of oral fluid in children undergoing tonsil surgery and recovering from the general anesthesia is not only safe but also effective in reducing postoperative thirst. Trial registration: Current Controlled Trials ChiCTR1800020058, 12-12-2018.