Whether Post-Tonsillectomy Medication Should be Liquid Based or Can be Solid? A Randomised, Single-Blinded, Controlled Trial
Pattaramon Wijakkanalan MD, FRCOT*, Patchareeporn Saesaew MD, FRCOT*, Malinee Wongsawatdiwat MD, FRCPT**, Patorn Piromchai MD, MSc, FRCOT, FICS*
Affiliation : * Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand ** Department of Anaesthesiology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
Background : Tonsillectomy is a common operation for the otolaryngologist. There has been a discrepancy in recommending
prescribing a liquid based or solid medication for post-tonsillectomy patients.
Objective : To compare the pain scores, adverse effects and complications between the post-tonsillectomy patients who were
given liquid medication in comparison with patients who were given non-restricted medication.
Material and Method: Patients with chronic hypertrophic tonsillitis who underwent tonsillectomy were recruited. In the
control group, patients were given liquid medication. The experimental group was given a non-restricted form of medication.
Pain scores, adverse effects and complications and patient satisfaction data were collected.
Results : Twenty-six patients were enrolled. The pain score difference between the 2 groups at 4 hours was -0.23 (95% CI
-1.57 to 1.11, p = 0.73) and 0.15 (95% CI -0.77 to 1.08, p = 0.73) at 72 hours. There was no statistically significant difference
between the early and late complications between the control group and the experimental group (p>0.05).
Conclusion : There was no statistical difference in the pain scores, adverse effects and complications between groups. There
is no necessity to restrict patients to liquid medication.
Keywords : Tonsillectomy, Therapy, Therapeutic use, Adverse effects
