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Does laryngopharyngeal reflux affect healing and recovery after tonsillectomy?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 July 2007

S Elwany ,
Y A Nour  and
E A Magdy
S Elwany
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Egypt
Y A Nour
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Egypt
E A Magdy*
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Egypt
*
Address for correspondence: Dr Emad A Magdy, 4 Omar Lotfy Street, Camp Shezar, Suite 2, Alexandria, Egypt 21321. Fax: +203 4273506 E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Introduction:

Laryngopharyngeal reflux is increasingly being implicated in several otolaryngological disorders.

Aims:

To study a potential correlation between pre-operative laryngopharyngeal reflux and wound healing and recovery after tonsillectomy, based on subjective and objective findings.

Materials and methods:

A prospective, blinded study was undertaken, including 60 patients scheduled for tonsillectomy, divided into two equal groups: a study group (group A) with pre-operative laryngopharyngeal reflux documented using ambulatory 24-hour pH monitoring; and a control group (group B) without laryngopharyngeal reflux.

Results:

Group A had significantly higher pain scores on the seventh and 14th post-operative days (p = 0.022 and p = 0.000, respectively) and took a significantly longer time to return to normal eating (p = 0.013), compared with group B. Group A also showed significantly slower healing on the seventh and 14th post-operative days, as estimated by assessing the grade of post-operative slough formation (p = 0.016 and p = 0.029, respectively). A significant correlation between the number of pharyngeal reflux episodes and the degree of post-operative slough was also found.

Conclusions:

Laryngopharyngeal reflux can significantly decrease wound healing following tonsillectomy. Therefore, pre-operative recognition and management of this condition is desirable in order to eliminate its negative post-operative effect.

Keywords

Gastro-oesophageal RefluxTonsillectomyPost-operative PainWound Healing
Type
Main Article
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 122 , Issue 6 , June 2008 , pp. 603 - 608
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2007

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