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Intraoperative ice pack application for uvulopalatoplasty pain reduction: A randomized controlled trial
The Laryngoscope, 08/21/2012
Clinical Article
Rotenberg BW et al. – Intraoperative ice pack administration results in significantly reduced pain following electrocautery uvulopalatoplasty.
Methods
- Single-blinded, randomized controlled trial.
- After inclusion and exclusion criteria were met, patients were enrolled and randomized, and subsequently underwent standard electrocautery uvulopalatoplasty.
- Packs were placed into the tonsillar fossae immediately following tonsil removal and into the palate after the palatoplasty.
- Patients then completed a questionnaire that evaluated their experience for 10 days following surgery.
- The primary outcome was pain rated on a visual analog scale.
- Return to work and return to normal diet were also assessed.
- T test and Mann-Whitney statistical analyses, as well as routine descriptive statistics, were conducted.
- Eighteen subjects were recruited.
Results
- Patients that received intraoperative cold packs experienced a statistically significant change in VAS average pain [3.4 ± 1.1 cm (p = 0.00001)] when compared with patients receiving room temperature packs.
- No difference in return to work (p = 0.16) and return to normal diet (p = 0.12) was identified.
