Efficacy of sucralfate in the postoperative management of uvulopalatopharyngoplasty: a double-blind, randomized, controlled study.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effectiveness of sucralfate in influencing throat pain, otalgia, analgesic requirement, bleeding, mucosal recovery, and incidence of postoperative bleeding in patients undergoing uvulopalatopharyngoplasty.


METHODS
A prospective double-blind randomized study.


METHODS
University-affiliated tertiary referral hospital.


METHODS
Eighty adult patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome requiring uvulopalatopharyngoplasty were recruited and randomly allocated into either a sucralfate treatment group or a control group.


METHODS
All patients underwent uvulopalatopharyngoplasty. Patients enrolled in the sucralfate group (n=40) were instructed to gargle the sucralfate suspension and then to swallow. Patients enrolled in the control group (n=40) were instructed to gargle placebo suspension at the same doses and schedule.


METHODS
Postoperative throat pain, otalgia, amount of analgesic required, degree of strength (defined as patients' general well-being and return to regular daily activities), percentage of mucosal covering, and postoperative bleeding.


RESULTS
Throat pain and otalgia occurred significantly less often in sucralfate group, with less analgesic requirement and with rapid mucosal healing and early return to regular daily activities. There was no significant difference in episodes of postoperative bleeding between the 2 groups (P=.37).


CONCLUSIONS
Although sucralfate therapy may not provide complete analgesia after uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, it may reduce the amount of analgesic required, thus preventing dose-related adverse effects from the analgesic agent. It can also significantly reduce the total number of days needed to return to normal daily activities (P=.41).
Zodpe
Prakash
P
Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Communication Disorder Institute of Medical Science Research Center, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
Cho
Jae Gu
JG
Kang
Hee Joon
HJ
Hwang
Soon Jae
SJ
Lee
Heung-Man
HM
D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004433:Earache / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control; D010160:Palate, Soft / Q000601:surgery*; D010612:Pharyngitis / Q000517:prevention & control; D010614:Pharynx / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000601:surgery*; D013392:Sucralfate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014609:Uvula / Q000601:surgery*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects
D000700:Analgesics; D013392:Sucralfate