Salbutamol administered preoperatively to children undergoing tonsillectomy resulted in a significant reduction in rates of respiratory adverse events

Review of Von Ungern-Sternberg BS, Sommerfield D, Slevin L, Drake-Brockman TFE, Zhang G, Hall GL. Effect of albuterol premedication vs placebo on the occurrence of respiratory adverse events in children undergoing tonsillectomies: the REACT randomized clinical trial. JAMA Pediatr 2019 Study design : Randomised, placebo-controlled trial. Participants were randomly allocated to an intervention using computer-generated block randomisation. Initially stratified based on administration method, but due to a change in practice favouring laryngeal mask airways over endotracheal tubes, in all ages, this was ceased. Study question : To ascertain whether preoperative inhaled salbutamol reduces the rates of perioperative respiratory events in children undergoing tonsillectomies under general anaesthesia. Setting : Perth Children’s Hospital, Western Australia. Participants : 484 children, aged 0–8 years, undergoing general anaesthesia for tonsillectomy (+/− other ENT procedures including adenoidectomy). Intervention : Preoperative administration of salbutamol (200 µg), administered via a metered …