Tylenol Suppositories, VCRs, and Strabismus Surgery

Yosemite Falls - photo by JoAnn Sturman

Scott Sturman, M.D.

With unpredictable absorption and the availability of IV acetaminophen, tylenol suppositories are going the way of the VCR.  IV acetaminophen is suited perfectly for strabismus surgery, particularly pediatric patients, who tend to be feisty when awakening without local anesthetic in the wound in PACU.

IV acetaminophen is approved for children over the age of 2 and is dosed at 15mg/kg for ages 2-12 with a maximum daily dose of 3750 mg.  Above age 12 and 50 kg the 1 gram dose is appropriate with the same adult maximum daily dose of 4000mg.

In addition to IV acetaminophen one can consider the use of IM meperidine 1mg/kg to a maximum of 50mg for smooth emergence in PACU.