Comparison of Peritonsillar Infiltration of Lidocaine and Bupivacaine for Management of Postoperative Pain of Tonsillectomy

Comparison of Peritonsillar Infiltration of Lidocaine and Bupivacaine for Management of Postoperative Pain of Tonsillectomy

Objectives: To compare the effects of preincisional peritonsillar infiltration of Lidocaine and Bupivacaine on post tonsillectomy pain in patient over the age of 8 years.

Methods: A double blind clinical randomized trial was conducted in patients undergoing elective tonsillectomy or adenotonsillectomy. The patients randomly allocated into three groups. Peritonsillar infiltrations with Bupivacaine, Lidocaine and Normal Saline were applied in group 1, 2 and 3 respectively. In 5th, 10th and 20th postoperative hours, the severity of Pain was evaluated by visual analogue scale (VAS).

Results: The patients of the Bupivacaine group experienced a significantly milder pain in all postoperative hours comparing the other groups. This effect was more obvious in male sex. The difference in pain sensation between Lidocaine and Saline groups was not significant.

Conclusion: Peritonsillar infiltration of Bupivacaine decreases pain in the first post-operative day after tonsillectomy whereas Lidocaine does not show a similar effect.