Effect of ice cream intake on post-tonsillectomy pain in children

Aims

We aim to evaluate the effect of ice cream intake on post tonsillectomy pain in children.

Material and methods

This study is a prospective, randomized, simple blinded clinical trial. Patients were randomized into two groups: no ice-cream group which received a standard analgesic protocol and the ice cream group which received the same analgesic protocol associated with an ice cream offered for the child before leaving the post anesthesia care unit (PACU). Pain was evaluated by the FLACC scale.

Objectives

The main objective was to compare the FLACC scales between the 2 groups at H6 post-operatively. Accessory objectives included evaluating the time to the first analgesic request and to the first oral intake as well as the occurrence of post operative complications.

Results

Forty-eight children were included. Better pain control was noted in the ice-cream group with significant difference in FLACC scales compared to the no ice-cream group at H6 (p = 0,031), H12 (p = 0,04), H18 (p = 0,024).

The time to first analgesic request was significantly longer in the ice-cream group (p < 0,001).

The time to first oral fluid intake was significantly shorter in the ice-cream group (p = 0,043). Post operative complications were comparable between the 2 groups.

Conclusion

Ice cream intake proved to reduce post tonsillectomy pain and to improve the time to first oral fluid intake without increasing the incidence of post operative complications.