Acupuncture for posttonsillectomy pain in children: a randomized, controlled study
Item
Title
Acupuncture for posttonsillectomy pain in children: a randomized, controlled study
Journal Publication
Date
2015
volume
25(6)
pages
603-609
Research Type
RCT
Keywords
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Surgeons have searched for the technique or medication that will produce a 'painless tonsillectomy'; however, this seems to be an impossible goal. Previous studies have shown that perioperative acupuncture may be a useful adjunct for acute postoperative pain and that acupuncture, in addition to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, is effective in adults for the treatment of postoperative swallowing pain after tonsillectomy. Acupuncture has been shown to be safe in children. A retrospective review of acupuncture for posttonsillectomy pain in juvenile patients showed a significantly reduced pain score immediately after treatment. AIM: To examine whether acupuncture, in addition to conventional analgesic treatment, will be effective in the treatment of posttonsillectomy pain in children. METHODS: We conducted a randomized, controlled, single-blinded study comparing conventional postoperative analgesic treatment with the same regime plus acupuncture to assess whether postoperative treatment of children aged 3-12 years undergoing tonsillectomy with acupuncture will reduce pain and to examine possible unwanted effects of this treatment. RESULTS: Sixty children were recruited and randomly divided into a study group and a control group. The results indicate that in the study group, there was less pain, less analgesic drug consumption, and higher patient/parent satisfaction with analgesic treatment scores. No adverse effects were recorded. CONCLUSIONS: Acupuncture, in addition to conventional analgesic treatment, is an effective treatment for posttonsillectomy pain. Acupuncture is safe and well received by children and their parents.
pmid
Date of Input: 6/23/2015; Date Modified: 9/29/2015; Availability: --In File--; Priority: Normal; Pain, Postoperative; Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery Unit, Ziv Medical Center, Safed, Israel; Faculty of Medicine in the Galilee, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel.; eng; Web: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=25661270
has health condition studied
Pain
plan
>1/WK
has study population number
60
has duration
2 Days