Tonsillectomy Techniques and Pain: A Review of Randomized Controlled Trials and Call for Standardization

OBJECTIVES: To review the literature comparing operative techniques in tonsillectomy and postoperative pain. METHODS: Randomized controlled trials comparing operative techniques and pain outcomes over a 10-year period were reviewed. RESULTS: 44 trials met inclusion criteria for analysis. A total of nine different techniques for complete or partial tonsillectomy were compared. There were several studies with contradictory results. Many of the studies were performed under different parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Future studies comparing tonsillectomy technique and pain outcomes should be conducted using a standard protocol to allow for accurate comparisons between numerous techniques.