Reduction of the tonsillar fossa to diminish pain after tonsillectomy

ABSTRACT

In this study, 20 consecutive patients over the age of 15 years undergoing tonsillectomy had one tonsillar fossa reduction [without suturing of the tonsillar pillars] by 3/0 vicryl suture. The opposite side was used as a control. Pain was assessed on a visual analogue scale from the first to tenth postoperative day. The study showed that tonsillar fossa reduction after tonsillectomy significantly controls the postoperative pain starting from the 5th postoperative day. Moreover, tonsillar fossa reduction is associated with more rapid and better healing and does not show any increase in the incidence rate of complications such as infections or hemorrhage. So, it is a useful, safe and easy procedure that could be used to alleviate post-tonsillectomy pain in terms of shortening of the duration of healing