Evaluation of postoperative pain after tonsil-sparing styloidectomy

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Surgical Innovation
• Pain Management

Background:

• Eagle's syndrome, characterized by elongated styloid processes, often requires surgical intervention when conservative measures fail.
• Styloidectomy is the primary surgical approach, but the efficacy of tonsil-sparing techniques remains a subject of ongoing research.
• Evaluating postoperative pain is crucial for assessing patient outcomes and surgical technique effectiveness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare postoperative pain levels between tonsil-sparing styloidectomy (TSS) and traditional tonsillectomy-styloidectomy (TTS) in patients with Eagle's syndrome.
• To determine the clinical efficacy of TSS in managing pain associated with Eagle's syndrome.
• To assess the safety and effectiveness of TSS as a treatment modality.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective study comparing 14 patients undergoing TSS with 22 patients undergoing TTS.
• Pain was quantified using the 11-point numeric rating scale (NRS-11) at multiple postoperative time points up to 3 months.
• Data analysis focused on differences in resting and movement pain between the two surgical groups.

Main Results:

• Both groups experienced significant reductions in pain from preoperative levels by 3 months post-surgery.
• One and two weeks postoperatively, the TSS group reported significantly lower resting and movement pain compared to the TTS group.
• No significant difference was observed in the overall pain reduction rate between the TSS and TTS groups.

Conclusions:

• Tonsil-sparing styloidectomy is a safe and effective treatment for Eagle's syndrome.
• While long-term outcomes and surgical risks are comparable to traditional tonsillectomy-styloidectomy, TSS offers significant advantages in alleviating perioperative pain.
• TSS represents a valuable option for managing Eagle's syndrome, particularly for patients prioritizing reduced immediate postoperative discomfort.