The effects of a preoperative steroid/anesthetic injection on post-tonsillectomy pain.
We conducted a placebo-controlled, single-blind study to determine the efficacy of a local preoperative injection of a steroid/anesthetic combination in preventing post-tonsillectomy pain. We randomized 21 adults to receive either triamcinolone/bupivacaine on the left side and saline on the right or vice versa. Injections were administered in the area of the tonsillar pillars following intubation and prior to tonsillectomy. Based on the "generalized estimating equations" model of statistical analysis, we found no significant difference in the degree of postoperative pain between the active-treatment and control sides.
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Madigan Army Medical Center, Tacoma, Wash., USA. cupero@nw.amedd.army.mil
Timothy M
TM
Cupero
Sam Y
SY
Kim
Andrew B
AB
Silva
D000328:Adult; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002045:Bupivacaine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011300:Preoperative Care; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D014068:Tonsillectomy; D014221:Triamcinolone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D014221:Triamcinolone; D002045:Bupivacaine