Work

Intraoperative platelet-rich plasma in tonsillectomy: A randomized controlled trial of pain and wound-healing outcomes

Year: 2026

Type: article

Study designs: Randomized Controlled Trial, Clinical Trial

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether topical autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) applied to the tonsillar fossae reduces postoperative pain and improves wound healing after bilateral tonsillectomy. METHODS: In this prospective randomized controlled trial with blinded patients and postoperative outcome assessors, 200 patients undergoing bilateral tonsillectomy were randomized 1:1 to receive topical autologous PRP or control treatment. The primary endpoint was postoperative pain trajectory over days 1-10 measured using a visual analog scale (VAS). Secondary endpoints were wound healing, complete mucosal healing by day 14, post tonsillectomy hemorrhage, and postoperative complications. Pain trajectory was analyzed using a repeated-measures mixed effects model. RESULTS: Of 200 randomized patients, 195 contributed evaluable post-baseline data, with no significant baseline differences between groups. In the primary repeated-measures analysis, the PRP group showed lower postoperative pain over days 1-10 than the control group (difference: -0.8 VAS units; 95% CI, -1.2 to -0.4; p = 0.001). Wound healing was significantly better in the PRP group on postoperative days 7, 10, and 14, and complete mucosal healing by day 14 was more frequent with PRP (78% vs 59%; absolute difference 18.8 percentage points, 95% CI 6.0 to 31.6). Secondary hemorrhage rates did not differ significantly between groups (2.0% vs 5.2%; p = 0.28). No serious adverse events occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Topical autologous PRP applied during tonsillectomy was associated with reduced postoperative pain and improved wound healing compared with control treatment. PRP may be a useful adjunct for enhancing early recovery after tonsillectomy.

Source: American Journal of Otolaryngology

DOI: 10.1016/j.amjoto.2026.104808

Authors: Sedat Rüzgar, Alper Tabaru

Institutions: Bağcılar Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi

Language: English

Topic: Periodontal Regeneration and Treatments

Subfield: Urology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,630