title: Sucralfate in alleviating post-tonsillectomy pain.
abstract: Tonsillectomy results in severe throat pain, ear pain, and trismus until the exposed and inflamed muscle becomes covered with regenerated mucosa. Sucralfate binds with the fibrinous exudate of duodenal ulcers, forming a protective barrier that promotes healing. If a similar buffer could be created in the tonsillar bed, morbidity may be diminished. A double-blind, randomized study was completed in 34 adult patients to determine whether sucralfate, given four times daily for 10 days as a swish and swallow, would significantly reduce postoperative pain and promote healing and recovery. Sucralfate significantly lowered postoperative throat pain, otalgia, and trismus. Sucralfate is a safe and well-tolerated topical agent that offers significant pain reduction and may promote healing in tonsillectomy patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Naval Hospital, Portsmouth, Va.
authors.forename: S B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Freeman
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Markwell
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004433:Earache / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010612:Pharyngitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D013392:Sucralfate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014068:Tonsillectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014313:Trismus / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D013392:Sucralfate