EFFECTS OF PERITONSILLAR INFILTRATION ON POST-TONSILLECTOMY PAIN - A DOUBLE-BLIND-STUDY

The concept that local infiltration of the operative area with a local anesthetic when using general anesthesia could alleviate postoperativ e pain is well known. We tested this concept on 129 patients scheduled for elective tonsillectomy. The patients were investigated in a doubl e-blind, randomized study, and the operation was carried out via the s tandard technique of infiltrating the peritonsillar area preoperativel y. The results indicated that preincisional infiltration of the tonsil s with bupivacaine hydrochloride markedly decreased the intensity of p ain following tonsillectomy, well beyond the immediate postoperative p eriod.