Management of pain after tonsillectomy: a prospective, randomized clinical study

Abstract

Objectives: We evaluated the alleviation of post-tonsillectomy pain with systemic and topical applications.

Patients and methods: Data obtained from 78 patients (28 females, 50 males) who had undergone tonsillectomy for recurrent tonsillitis by conventional cold surgery were reviewed with prospective, randomized clinical study. Initially, the patients were assigned into topical and systemic drug groups. These groups were then divided into three sub-groups; (i) clindamycin, dexamethasone, and control (saline) (ii) groups for the topical drug group; (iii) cefprozil, amoxicillin+clavulanate and control (no medications except analgesic) for the systemic drug group. The intensity of pain perceived by the patients at 21 different times was assessed by visual analog scale and facial scale.

Results: No significant relation was found between topical or systemic antibiotic use and pain intensity after tonsillectomy.

Conclusion: Neither topical application nor systemic administration is significantly superior to the other for postoperative management of pain.