A comparative study of benzydamine hydrochloride ("Difflam" pump spray) and placebo as analgesics following...

Area of Science:

• Pediatric surgery
• Pain management
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Tonsillectomy is a common surgical procedure in children.
• Post-operative pain significantly impacts recovery, affecting swallowing and overall well-being.
• Effective pain management strategies are crucial for pediatric tonsillectomy recovery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of benzydamine hydrochloride pump spray as a post-operative analgesic in children undergoing tonsillectomy.
• To compare the pain relief provided by benzydamine hydrochloride spray against a placebo.
• To assess the impact of the spray on throat soreness, referred earache, swallowing ability, and tonsillar bed healing.

Main Methods:

• A double-blind trial was conducted with 56 children aged 4-11 years.
• Benzydamine hydrochloride pump spray was administered to the tonsillar bed before mealtimes.
• Pain was assessed using subjective reports from the child, parent, and surgeon, alongside objective measures of swallowing and healing.

Main Results:

• Benzydamine hydrochloride pump spray demonstrated greater effectiveness in controlling post-operative pain compared to the placebo.
• The study observed improvements in throat soreness and swallowing ability in the group receiving benzydamine hydrochloride.
• Macroscopic assessment indicated favorable healing of the tonsillar bed with benzydamine hydrochloride use.

Conclusions:

• Benzydamine hydrochloride pump spray is an effective analgesic for managing post-operative pain in children following tonsillectomy.
• The use of benzydamine hydrochloride spray can improve patient comfort and facilitate recovery by reducing pain and improving swallowing.
• This study supports benzydamine hydrochloride as a valuable therapeutic option for pediatric post-tonsillectomy pain management.