title: The effect of Tualang honey in enhancing post tonsillectomy healing process. An open labelled prospective clinical trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Tonsillectomy is a common operative procedure performed for tonsillar hypertrophy complicates with recurrent tonsillitis. Among the post tonsillectomy morbidities, post operative wound healing is of utmost importance to be effectively managed as it will interfere with patient recuperation from surgery. Tualang honey has been shown to accelerate wound healing in postoperative patients.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Tualang honey in enhancing healing process in post tonsillectomy patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this open labelled prospective study, the selected paediatric patients were randomized into two groups. The 35 subjects in the Tualang honey-antibiotic group received 3 mls of Tualang honey intraoperatively followed by 4 mls of oral Tualang honey three times daily for seven days. Concurrently, 25mg/kg of intravenous Sultamicillin was given three times daily for two days followed by oral Sultamicillin twice daily for five days. The 28 subjects in the antibiotic only group received intravenous at 25mg/kg Sultamicillin kg for two days followed by oral Sultamicillin twice daily for five days. The healing process was assessed at day 1, day 3, day 7 and day 14 postoperatively by semiquantitative endoscopic photograph examination of both tonsillar fossae.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average ages for the treatment group and the control groups were 9 and 11 years old respectively. Wound healing was significantly faster in the treatment group in both tonsillar fossae compared to the control group (left: p-value = <0.001; right: p-value = <0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Tualang honey has positive effect in enhancing healing process in post tonsillectomy patient. It is easy to use topically, safe to consume orally and available at low cost locally. Overall it can be used as an excellent adjunct therapy for post operative patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150 Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia. norhafiza@kck.usm.my
authors.forename: Norhafiza
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mat Lazim
authors.forename: Baharudin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Abdullah
authors.forename: Rosdan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Salim
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000667:Ampicillin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006722:Honey; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013407:Sulbactam / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014068:Tonsillectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014069:Tonsillitis / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; C035444:sultamicillin; D000667:Ampicillin; D013407:Sulbactam