The effectiveness of Tualang honey in reducing post-tonsillectomy pain.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Tualang honey in reducing post-tonsillectomy pain. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 63 patients (31 males, 32 females; mean age 10+/-4.16 years; range 3 to 18 years) who were planned to undergo tonsillectomy. Patients were randomized into two groups. Treatment group received topical Tualang honey intraoperatively followed by oral consumption of Tualang honey three times daily for seven days with intravenous sultamicillin three times daily for first and second day followed by oral sultamicillin twice daily for five days. Control group received intravenous sultamicillin for two days followed by oral sultamicillin twice daily for five days. Patients' pain was assessed according to visual analog scale, frequency of waking up at night due to pain, and additional use of analgesic from postoperative first to seventh day. Results from each group were statistically compared. RESULTS: Early postoperative pain was relieved slightly faster in Tualang honey + antibiotic group; however, the difference between groups was not statistically significant. On postoperative seventh day, all of patients (100%) in Tualang honey + antibiotic group experienced no pain compared to the antibiotic only group. Frequencies of waking up at night and use of analgesic were lower in the Tualang honey + antibiotic group compared to antibiotic only group. CONCLUSION: Early postoperative pain was relieved slightly faster in Tualang honey + antibiotic group, which may be attributed to the soothing effect of honey.