Abstract:ObjectiveTo explore the effect of glossopharyngeal nerve block with bupivacaine on pain after tonsillectomy in children.MethodsUsing a method of prospective randomized controlled study, 92 children undergoing tonsillectomy were collected, which were randomly divided into glossopharyngeal nerve block with bupivacaine group (treatment group) and nonglossopharyngeal nerve block group (control group), and 46 cases in each group. Bilateral glossopharyngeal nerve block with bupivacaine was performed immediately after tonsillectomy in the treatment group, while no treatment was given in the control group. The time of the first postoperative analgesia request and the average dose of acetaminophen for analgesia postoperative were compared between the two groups.The postoperative pain was assessed during rest and swallowing using the FLACC (face, legs, activity, cry, consolability) tool. The postoperative response to gag reflex, degree of difficulty in swallowing, the incidence of postoperative complications and parents’ satisfaction were compared between the two groups.ResultsThe duration of first postoperative acetaminophen analgesia was significantly longer in the treatment group than that in the control group (P<0.01).The average dose of acetaminophen in the treatment group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). The FLACC score of the treatment group was significantly lower than that of the control group at 6 h during rest and swallowing (P<0.01). The elimination of the pharyngeal reflex and the difficulty swallowing in the treatment group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.01). However, the incidence of postoperative complications was not significantly increased in the treatment group than that in the control group(P>0.05). The satisfaction of parents in the treatment group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.01).ConclusionBilateral glossopharyngeal nerve block with bupivacaine can effectively reduce early postoperative pain and improve the physical comfort and quality of life in children after tonsillectomy, as well as improve their parental satisfaction.The treatment had no obvious adverse effects of anesthesia.