Objectives: We evaluated the efficacy of dexpanthenol in managing pediatric post-tonsillectomy pain and wound healing and sought to discover which of two surgical tonsillectomy techniques provides better healing and less postoperative pain.
Methods: One hundred twenty patients who underwent tonsillectomy were equally randomized to thermal welding and cold dissection groups. Dexpanthenol pastilles were given to half of each group. Postoperative throat pain was determined with a visual analog scale on the 1st, 3th, 7th, and 14th days, and mucosal healing patterns were assessed on the 7th and 14th days.
Results: Regardless of surgical technique, post-tonsillectomy throat pain was significantly less in the dexpanthenol groups than in the placebo groups (p < 0.05), and tonsillar wound healing was significantly better in the dexpanthenol groups than in the placebo groups (p < 0.05). When a comparison was made with regard to surgical technique, wound healing was significantly better in the cold dissection group (p < 0.05), whereas postoperative throat pain was less in the thermal welding group (p < 0.05).
Conclusions: Postoperative administration of dexpanthenol significantly accelerates the wound healing process and decreases tonsillectomy-related pain complaints.