Acupuncture for posttonsillectomy pain in children: a randomized, controlled study

Item

Title

Acupuncture for posttonsillectomy pain in children: a randomized, controlled study

Author(s)

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

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