Role of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Otolaryngologic Perioperative Care

Background: During the perioperative period for otolaryngologic surgical cases, complications and delays can occur as the result of anxiety, pain, nausea, and vomiting. Conventional methods used to treat these symptoms include medications that can be expensive and invasive or that can cause adverse effects. Because of the concerns about opioid use in the United States, providers might want to consider using complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) as adjunctive or primary treatment plans.

Methods: To assess the current knowledge about the clinical effectiveness of CAM for patients undergoing otolaryngologic procedures, we searched the literature using MEDLINE, PubMed, and Google Scholar. We excluded studies published prior to 1990 and articles about surgeries that were unrelated to otolaryngology.

Results: An analysis of the selected studies revealed that CAM therapies-acupuncture, aromatherapy, hypnosis, and music therapy-have been shown to be effective at reducing preoperative anxiety, postoperative pain, and postoperative nausea and vomiting. No adverse side effects were associated with CAM use in these studies.

Conclusion: The use of CAM in patients undergoing otolaryngologic surgeries may relieve common perioperative symptoms. While further study is warranted, otolaryngology providers might consider implementing CAM with patients electing surgery.