Comparison of Peritonsillar Injection of Lignocaine-Adrenaline and Normal Saline (placebo) Before Tonsillectomy in Terms of Mean PerOperative Blood Loss

Abstract

Objective: To compare peritonsillar injection of lignocaine-adrenaline and normal saline (placebo) before tonsillectomy in terms of mean peroperative blood loss.
Patients and Methods: This randomized controlled trial was carried out at Department of ENT Head and Neck Surgery, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad study in six months’ time. A total of 60 patients were included in the study, their demographics data and clinical findings were noted. Subjects were randomly divide in two groups (30 in each group). Group A received injection of lignocaine-adrenaline in peritonsillar region and group B received normal saline (placebo), prior to tonsillectomy. Blood loss in both groups during surgery was measured by means of gauze pieces used and suction bottle. Results: Both groups were assessed for intraoperative blood loss. Despite marked reduction of blood loss in group A, the difference in two groups was not statistically significance (p-value=0.213) after applying independent sample t test. Post-stratification student t test showed a statistical significance in the age groups 15 – 20 years (p-value=0.018).
Conclusion: Our study concludes that the group injected with lignocaine-adrenaline in the peritonsillar area had a marked reduction in peroperative blood loss as compared to the group that was injected with normal saline (placebo).