Effect of local cooling on the outcome of tonsillectomy

Introduction: A prospective, clinical study note the effect of local cooling on tonsillectomy. Our study group was made up of 36 patients-16 men and 20 women, aged 5 to 60 years (mean: 23.1)-who were undergoing a bilateral tonsillectomy.
Objective: To describe the effect of ice treatment upon post operative edema, pain and return to normal diet after tonsillectomy.
Method: A total of 36 tonsillectomies were performed under general anesthesia. Patients were randomly grouped into 2, A and B (n=18). The former group received ice cubes throughout the procedure. The patients were evaluated in the operative period and 1, 2, 7 and 30th day postoperatively by the same surgeon. Post operative oedema of tonsillar pillars, tonsillar fossa, uvula, soft palate, post tonsillectomy pain and return to normal diet was noted at each visit and were compared between the groups.
Results: Patients age and gender distribution did not differ between the groups. (p- 0.412). The length of operative time did not differ either. Differences in pain intensity on postoperative days 1, 2, 7 and 30 were statistically insignificant. Difficulty in swallowing was grade 2 and 3 respectively (p > 0.05). Clinically significant difference in postoperative oedema was noted in Group A.
Conclusion: Ice is a suitable agent to reduce postoperative edema, swelling, discomfort and improving clinical outcome after tonsillectomy.