Evaluation of efficacy of oral honey use in adult tonsillectomy patients

Abstract

Post-tonsillectomy throat pain is one of the most common complication, which leading to delayed recovery and later hospital discharge. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of oral honey use on eating, condition and reducing pain with patients have applied tonsillectomy. The study included 72 patients (37 males, 35 females; mean age 26±4.16 years; range 18 to 36 years) who were applied tonsillectomy. Patients were randomized into two groups. The treatment group received postoperatively followed by oral consumption of honey three times daily for five days PatientsÂ’ pain, eating and condition situation was assessed with visual analog scale(VAS), and analgesic intake was recorded during five follow-up periods. There was no statistically different between two groups about postoperative pain at first three days. But the postoperative pain was statically significant less at honey group than the control group. There was also a significant decrease in the number of analgesics taken over the last three control periods in terms of the honey group. The eating situation was statically significant better in the honey group than the control group at all days. The patientsÂ’ condition was also better in the honey group at all days. The result of study, the early postoperative pain was relieved slightly faster in the honey + antibiotic group, which may be attributed to the soothing effect of honey. This situation improves the oral intake of the patients and shortens the recovery process in the postoperative period.