Tonsillar fossa closure : a quest in tonsillectomy pain reduction

Abstract EN

Tonsillectomy is one of the most common surgical procedures ; the search for efficiency and pain control is still undergoing.

Suturing the tonsillar pillars after excision is thought to reduce pain; nevertheless, the concept itself is debatable.

A prospective randomized double blinded study of 36 patients who had tonsillectomy in King Abdulaziz University Hospital.

One of the pillars was sutured and the other was left un-sutured (control).

The patient was asked to compare pain between both sides.

The mean age was 14.2 (range 7-36), males 44.4 % (n = 16), females 55.6 % (n = 20).

The pain was reduced in the site of the stitch in 55.6 % (n = 20), and was increased in 22.2% (n = 8), but did not change in 22.2 % (n = 8).

Reduction in pain was observed at the site of the suture, especially in children.

This theory needs further exploration with a larger population.