Abstract:
Aims: The purpose of this study was to assess if the use of post-operative antibiotics
have any beneficial effects in reducing morbidity following elective tonsillectomy in
children with age range of 1-13 years.
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Objectives: To assess the degree of post-tonsillectomy pain, determine the incidence of
secondary haemorrhage, establish the time period to the resumption of a normal diet,
document adverse effects of the use of antibiotics (e.g. skin rash, anaphylaxis, diarrhoea
and vomiting), determine the bacteriology in tonsil removed and make
recommendations on post-tonsillectomy treatment protocol at DGMH.
Methods: This prospective study was conducted at DGMH on 81 children with an age
range of l-13years (mean 5.7years). At total of 40 children received paracetamol
l5mg/kg/day (Group A) in three divided doses for seven days, and 41 received
amoxicillin 40 mg/kg/day and paracetamol (Group B) for the same duration. The post
operative morbidity and bacteriology of the two treatment groups were compared.
Primary outcomes measured included the incidence and severity of pain, use of
analgesia, resumption of normal diet, incidence ofheamorrhage, fever, vomiting and
adverse reactions.
