Comparing the Effect of Acetaminophen Suppository before and after Tonsillectomy on Pain Severity in Children

Background: Pediatric tonsillectomy is associated with major complications such as severe postoperative pain. Hence, this study aimed to compare the effect of acetaminophen suppository administered before and after surgery on the pain severity of tonsillectomy. Method: The present double-blind clinical trial was performed on 100 children undergoing tonsillectomy, who were randomly divided into two groups of 50 receiving respectively rectal acetaminophen 40 mg/kg preoperatively (Group 1) and postoperatively (Group 2). Result: The first group consisted of 28 boys and 22 girls, and the second group had 26 boys and 24 girls. According to Chi-square test, there was no significant difference in terms of gender in the two groups (p=0.668). Comparison of pain scores with repeated measures ANOVA showed lower pain severity in the first group at all hours compared with the second group. Conclusion: The preoperative use of acetaminophen suppository significantly controls the pain after tonsillectomy.