Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 27, 2026
CO2-Lasertonsillotomy Under Local Anesthesia in Adults
Published on: November 6, 2019
The use of ice-lollies for pain relief post-paediatric tonsillectomy. A single-blinded, randomised, controlled trial
D C Sylvester1, A Rafferty, S Bew
1Department of Otolaryngology, York District Hospital, York, UK.
Insights
Giving ice-lollies to children after tonsillectomy significantly reduces immediate postoperative pain. This simple intervention offers a safe and effective method for pain management in pediatric patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric surgery
- Pain management
- Anesthesiology
Background:
- Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy are common pediatric surgical procedures.
- Postoperative pain is a significant concern following these surgeries.
- Effective pain relief is crucial for patient recovery and well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of ice-lollies in alleviating immediate postoperative pain in children undergoing tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy.
- To determine if ice-lollies provide a safe and cost-effective pain management strategy.
Main Methods:
- Prospective, randomized, single-blinded study design.
- Involved children aged 2-12 undergoing tonsillectomy +/- adenoidectomy at a tertiary referral center.
- Pain was assessed using the modified Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Pain Scale at multiple time points.
Main Results:
- Ninety-two patients were included in the analysis (46 ice-lolly group, 41 control group).
- Pain scores were consistently lower in the ice-lolly group compared to the control group.
- Statistical significance in pain reduction was observed at 30 minutes (P = 0.008) and 60 minutes (P = 0.049).
Conclusions:
- Ice-lollies represent a cheap, effective, and safe intervention for reducing postoperative pain.
- The benefits of ice-lollies were evident up to one hour after pediatric tonsillectomy.
- This method offers a practical approach to immediate pain relief in pediatric surgical patients.
Objectives:
To assess whether the use of ice-lollies after tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy in children aged 2-12 reduces pain in the immediate postoperative period.
Design:
A prospective, randomised, single-blinded study design consisting of two groups with an intention to treat analysis.
Setting:
Tertiary referral centre.
Participants:
Children aged 2-12 undergoing tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy.
Main Outcome Measures:
Pain assessment by nursing staff in the form of the validated modified Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Pain Scale at 15, 30 and 60 min and 4 h.
Results:
Ninety-two patients were recruited into the study with 46 allocated to receive an ice-lolly and 41 not to receive an ice-lolly after exclusion of those with incomplete data. The two groups were comparable for number, age, sex and diagnosis. The pain score at every time interval was lower in the group that had received the ice-lolly compared with the group that had not. This was statistically significant at 30 (P = 0.008) and 60 min (P = 0.049).
Conclusion:
Our data suggest that ice-lollies are a cheap, effective and safe method of reducing postoperative pain up to one hour following paediatric tonsillectomy.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Tonsillitis II: Management
01:23Chronic Pharyngitis
Etiology
It often arises from persistent viral or bacterial infections affecting sinuses and tonsils.
Additional contributing factors include inadequate dental hygiene, mouth breathing, recurring tonsillitis, allergic rhinitis, laryngopharyngeal reflux, and exposure to smoke, chemicals, and other environmental pollutants. Allergic reactions to pollen, mold, and pet dander, chronic cough, excessive voice usage,...