Effectiveness of hyaluronic acid in post-tonsillectomy pain relief and wound healing: a prospective, double-blind, controlled clinical study

Abstract

Objectives: To find the effectiveness of hyaluronic acid in post-tonsillectomy pain relief and wound healing.

Methods: Fifty patients were included in this prospective, double-blind, controlled clinical study (20 males, 30 females mean age of 13.56 years). Hyaluronic acid was applied to one side and the other side was used as a control during tonsillectomy. Therefore, the same patient evaluated and scored the post-tonsillectomy pain, excluding individual bias.

Results: Results indicated that patients had significantly lower pain scores for hyaluronic acid treated side (p<0.001). At the end of two weeks follow-up period, the wound in the hyaluronic acid side was almost completely healed, indicating that the healing was faster with hyaluronic acid compared to control side (p<0.001).

Conclusion: Hyaluronic acid could be recommended as an effective treatment for the management of post-tonsillectomy pain and wound healing.

Keywords: Double-blind study; Hyaluronic acid; Pain; Tonsillectomy; Wound healing.