Efficacy of Oral Versus Intravenous Acetaminophen for Primary Pediatric Cleft Palate Repair

Oral acetaminophen administered as a cherry flavored elixir will be dosed preoperatively 15 mg/kg and redosed every 6 hours for 24 hours. Placebo oral acetaminophen will be administered to the other two arms of the study according to the same timetable. Intraoperative opioids (Fentanyl or Morphine) will be administered as deemed necessary by anesthesia care team. in the PACU, fentanyl 0.5-1 mcg/kg will be administered for moderate-severe pain. Once discharged from PACU, morphine 0.05 mg/kg will be given every 3 hours as needed.

Intravenous acetaminophen is initiated after intravenous access is obtained intraoperatively and before surgical incision. Dosing is age based as follows: 5 months-2 years 12.5 mg/kg, 2-5 years 15 mg/kg. Redosing will be every 6 hours for 24 hours. The two other arms will receive a placebo in the form of normal saline given intravenously. Intraoperative opioids will be administered as deemed necessary by anesthesia care team. in the PACU, fentanyl 0.5-1 mcg/kg will be administered for moderate-severe pain. Once discharged from PACU, morphine 0.05 mg/kg will be given every 3 hours as needed.

Intraoperative opioids (Fentanyl or Morphine) will be administered as deemed necessary by anesthesia care team. in the PACU, fentanyl 0.5-1 mcg/kg will be administered for moderate-severe pain. Once discharged from PACU, morphine 0.05 mg/kg will be given every 3 hours as needed.