POST-TONSILLECTOMY PAIN - THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN YOUNGER AND OLDER PATIENTS

In a prospective study of 50 patients undergoing tonsillectomy the pai n scores over the first 14 days were recorded. The scores for those pa tients 10 years or younger were compared with those older than 10. The results showed a significant difference between the distribution of p ain over the course of time between the two groups. The mean pain scor es on day 1 were similar in the two groups but in the older group the level of pain recorded daily remained fairly constant until day 9 when it fell to around half the initial score. In the younger children the pain scores peaked at day 2 but thereafter fell to approximately half the peak score by day 6. The analgesic intake in each group mirrored these findings. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.