Can post-adenotonsillectomy morbidity be reduced by intravenous 24 h hydration in pediatric patients following adenotonsillectomy?

Abstract

Objective: To determine the benefit of 24 h intravenous hydration for pediatric postoperative adenotonsillectomy patients.

Study design: A prospective, randomized controlled clinical study.

Methods: The study is consisting of two groups of pediatric patients following adenotonsillectomy performed in a university hospital. One group received 24 h IV hydration at hospital while the other did not have IV hydration. Chi-square and two-tailed unpaired Student's t-tests were used to compare the two independent groups. P < 0.05 was accepted as statistically significant.

Results: Although the postoperative parameters such as nausea, fever, vomiting, odor, bleeding, otalgia and trismus were not statistically different between the two groups based on chi-square analysis (P > 0.05), a significant pain-relieving effect was seen in hydration group after the second day (P < 0.05). There were no complications associated with intravenous hydration.

Conclusion: Results of the current study suggest that 24 h IV hydration can reduce postoperative pain in late postoperative period following adenotonsillectomy in children but does not offer much advantage over without IV hydration therapy based on a number of other parameters. Furthermore, it seems to be cost effective, safe and easy and even these are encouraging for further studies in the future.