Post Tonsillectomy Pain: Can Honey Reduce the Analgesic Requirements?

Abstract

BackgroundTonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy is one of the most common surgical procedures performed worldwide, especially for children. Oral honey administration following tonsillectomy in pediatric cases may reduce the need for analgesics via relieving postoperative pain.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of honey on the incidence and severity of postoperative pain in patients undergoing tonsillectomy.Patients and MethodsA randomized, double blind, placebo controlled study was performed. One hundred and four patients, who were older than eight, and were scheduled for tonsillectomy, were divided into two equal groups, honey and placebo. Standardized general anesthesia, and postoperative usual analgesic, and antibiotic regimen were administrated for all patients. Acetaminophen plus honey for the honey group, and acetaminophen plus placebo for the placebo group were given daily. They began to receive honey or placebo when the patients established oral intake.ResultsThe difference between acetaminophen and acetaminophen plus honey groups was statistically significant both for visual analogue scale (VAS), and number of painkillers taken within the first three postoperative days. The consumption of painkillers differed significantly in every five postoperative days. No significant difference was found between groups regarding the number of awaking at night.ConclusionsPostoperative honey administration reduces postoperative pain and analgesic requirements in patients after tonsillectomy. As the side effects of honey appear to be negligible, consideration of its routine usage seems to be beneficial along with routine analgesics.

Comparing the Duration of the Analgesic Effects of Intravenous and Rectal Acetaminophen Following Tonsillectomy in Children

“…They observed that post-operative honey administration reduced post-operative pain in patients (10). …”

Honey and beehive products in otorhinolaryngology: a narrative review

“…Only five of the 36 included trials were assessed as being at overall low risk of bias . Eleven were assessed as being at unclear risk of bias, and all remaining studies were assessed as being at overall high risk of bias. Details on quality assessment are presented in Fig.…”

Post - Operative Pain Management of Tonsillectomy Patients; Clinical Evaluation of Using Oral Honey in 78 Patients

“…They administered honey locally immediately after dissection followed by oral honey and found that the 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). 9 Boroumand et al in their study observed that the difference between acetaminophen and acetaminophen plus honey groups was statistically significant both for visual analogue scale (VAS), and number of painkillers taken within the first three postoperative days. The consumption of painkillers differed significantly in every five postoperative days.…”