Pain intensity after laseruvulopalatoplasty and tonsillectomy.
OBJECTIVE
The first objective of this study was to evaluate pain intensity and opioid consumption during the first 24 hours after uvulopalatoplasty and tonsillectomy in the hospital, and the second was to evaluate pain intensity and its progression during the first 2 weeks after surgery at home.


METHODS
In a prospective parallel group study, 51 patients with uvulopalatoplasty or tonsillectomy were studied. Ketoprofen, a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug, and fentanyl citrate, an opioid, were used as analgesics.


RESULTS
Despite ketoprofen infusion and free access to a patient-controlled pump with fentanyl citrate for rescue analgesia, inadequate pain relief was common both after uvulopalatoplasty (35%) and after tonsillectomy (28%) during the first 24 hours after surgery. The consumption of fentanyl citrate was similar after both operations. At home, pain intensity was highest in the mornings during the first 5 days, and 10 patients had some pain still after 2 weeks. Also at home, high pain scores were reported commonly in both groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Significant pain after uvulopalatoplasty and tonsillectomy lasted for several days. Ketoprofen in the commercial capsule form proved to be too short acting for overnight pain relief.


CONCLUSIONS
Pain treatment in patients with uvulopalatoplasty and tonsillectomy should be improved to allow patients a peaceful recovery after surgery.
Kokki
Hannu
H
Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Kuopio University Hospital, Finland. hannu.kokki@kuh.fi
Nikanne
Elina
E
Aho
Mikko
M
Virtaniemi
Jukka
J
D000328:Adult; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005283:Fentanyl / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007660:Ketoprofen / Q000627:therapeutic use; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010160:Palate, Soft / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014068:Tonsillectomy; D014609:Uvula / Q000601:surgery*
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D007660:Ketoprofen; D005283:Fentanyl