EFFECT OF PERIOPERATIVE INFILTRATION OF STEROIDS IN TONSILLAR BED FOLLOWING TONSILLECTOMY ON POST TONSILLECTOMY PAIN

Abstract

Objective: To observe the effect of perioperative infiltration of steroids in tonsillar bed following tonsillectomy on post tonsillectomy pain.

Material and Methods: Prospective, longitudinal, comparative, double blinded randomized study was done between 1 October 2009 and 31 March 2011. In the study side, triamcinolone acetonide 60 mg was locally infiltrated in tonsillar bed following tonsillectomy. In control side, no further procedure was done after tonsillectomy. The patients were assessed for pain using visual analogue scale (VAS) and on the basis of demand of analgesia demanded by patient during first five post operative days.

Results: Fifty patients were included in the study. VAS score in the study side was less than control side on all five post operative days and in average. (P-value on 1st and 2nd postoperative period was >0.1i.e. there was no difference in pain score between two sides. But on 3rd, 4th, 5th post operative days and in average of mean, P-value was <0.05 i.e. there was less pain score in the study side in comparison to control side). Similarly patient demanded more analgesia due to pain in the control side in comparison to study side (P- value on 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th POD was >0.05, but was less than 0.05 on 5th POD and on an average)

Conclusion: Local infiltration of single dose of 60mg triamcinolone acetonide in tonsillar bed following tonsillectomy provides good analgesia, reduces analgesic requirement thus decreases pain in early postoperative period”

Keywords: Post tonsillectomy pain, Steroids infiltration, Tonsillectomy, visual analogue scale