The Effects of Topical Levobupivacaine on Morbidity in Pediatric Tonsillectomy Patients

Objective: To reduce the post-tonsillectomy morbidity by swab soaked with 5 ml levobupivacaine hydroclorur (25 mg/10 ml).

Study Design: A double-blind prospective randomized controlled clinical study.

Methods: In this randomized double-blind study in group I (30 children, mean age 7.5+/-2.6) we tightly packed swab soaked with 5 ml levobupivacaine hydroclorur (25mg/10 ml) and in group II (21 children, mean age 7.9+/-3.7) we used 5 ml saline swabs into each of the two tonsillar fossae after tonsillectomy for 5 min. We used McGrath's face scale to compare the two groups in respect of pain control.

Results: There was statistically significant pain relieving effect in the levobupivacaine group in the first 24h (p<0.05). But after 24h pain relieving effect of levobupivacaine was not significant (p>0.05). We did not see any serious complications for both groups. Postoperative morbidity mean results (nausea, vomiting, fever, bleeding, halitosis and ear pain) were not statistically different between the two groups (p>0.05).

Conclusion: Topical levobupivacaine seems to be a safe and easy medication for postoperative pain control in pediatric tonsillectomy patients.