Journal of Anesthesiology and Pain

Aim and Background:

Pain management is very important in tonsillectomy in order to reduce

the suffering and restlessness in children. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of

peritonsillar injection of lidocaine and placebo preoperatively on postoperative pain relief.

Methods and Materials:

This randomized triple blind clinical trial conducted on sixty 3-12-

year-old children who were candidate for tonsillectomy. Children were randomly assigned to

lidocaine and placebo groups. Anesthesia inducted similarly for all patients and peritonsillary 1

mg/kg lidocaine (per 2 ml volume) in the first group and 2 ml normal saline in the second group

was injected. Pain assessment was performed using the self-report Oucher Scale and CHEOPS.

Findings:

The mean pain score in lidocaine group in 5, 15, 30, 60,120 and 240 minutes after

surgery was lower than placebo group but this difference (in Oucher scale) was only statistically

significant at 240 minuets after surgery (P =0.03).

Conclusions:

The preoperative peritonsillar injection of lidocaine is an effective method of

reducing post-tonsillectomy pain in children.

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