A Randomized Single‐Blinded Trial of Posttonsillectomy Liposomal Bupivacaine among Adult Patients

Abstract

The injection of liposomal bupivacaine in the posttonsillectomy wound bed demonstrates improved pain intensity scores for the first 24 hours after surgery with no adverse complications noted in comparison with patients who did not receive the injection. Given the limited pain reduction and increased cost, use of liposomal bupivacaine in adult tonsillectomy patients appears to have minimal indication for use.

A Randomized Single‐Blinded Trial of Ibuprofen‐ versus Opioid‐Based Primary Analgesic Therapy in Outpatient Otolaryngology Surgery

“…Tonsillectomy was not included, because it has been extensively evaluated. 12,13 Patients were excluded if they could not consent for themselves, were admitted overnight following surgery, were allergic to ibuprofen or hydrocodone / acetaminophen (APAP), or could not take it for other medical reasons. Those who had chronic pain or recent use of narcotic medication were not excluded, because we wanted to capture a representative sample of patients who may have outpatient surgery, provided they follow study protocols.…”

“…Patients between the ages of 18 and 89 years were eligible if they were undergoing 1 of the following qualifying surgical procedures: thyroidectomy, parathyroidectomy, functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS), septoplasty, septorhinoplasty, tympanoplasty, and endolaryngeal procedures requiring general anesthesia and microsuspension direct laryngoscopy. Tonsillectomy was not included, because it has been extensively evaluated 12,13 . Patients were excluded if they could not consent for themselves, were admitted overnight following surgery, were allergic to ibuprofen or hydrocodone / acetaminophen (APAP), or could not take it for other medical reasons.…”