[The effect of lidocaine HCL aerosol on postoperative pain in tonsillectomy patients].

OBJECTIVES

We evaluated the efficacy of lidocaine hydrochloride aerosol on postoperative pain relief in patients undergoing tonsillectomy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study included 60 patients (25 females, 35 males; mean age 25.43 years; range 16 to 35 years) undergoing tonsillectomy. The procedure was performed by the same surgeons under local anesthesia. The patients were randomly divided into two groups to receive either lidocaine HCl (n = 30) or NaCl (n = 30). A total of 4 mg/kg of 10% lidocaine HCl aerosol and 2 ml of 0.9% NaCl were applied to the tonsillectomy fossa eight times daily, respectively. Evaluation of pain was made on the first, third, and seventh postoperative days using a visual analogue scale.

RESULTS

Significant differences were found between the groups on the first, third, and seventh postoperative days (p < 0.05). In each group, patient's evaluation of pain differed significantly (p < 0.05). The significance levels were higher for lidocaine on the first and third days.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that lidocaine HCl aerosol exerts a therapeutic effect on postoperative pain control in tonsillectomy patients.