OBJECTIVE: The postoperative period of a tonsillectomy is usually very painful, requiring the use of pain-relieving drugs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of low-level laser therapy in post-tonsillectomy pain control. METHODS: 18 children aged 5 to 15 years undergoing adenotonsillectomy between June 2005 and October 2006 were randomized to receive either local application of therapeutic laser immediately after surgery and 24 hours postoperatively (n=9) or routine analgesic drug therapy, if necessary. Pain was assessed by visual analog scale scores, need for analgesics, and acceptance of diet during the postoperative period. RESULTS: Patients undergoing laser applications had lower median pain scores and required less analgesic medication postoperatively than the control group. Acceptance of diet was similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary results showed that low-level laser therapy is effective in the reduction of post-tonsillectomy pain, minimizing the need of analgesic medication in children and adolescents.
laser therapy; tonsillectomy; pain; child
