Subscribe to RSS
DOI: 10.1016/j.homp.2006.10.005
Homeopathic Arnica montana for post-tonsillectomy analgesia: a randomised placebo control trial
Publication History
Received19 June 2006
revised03 August 2006
accepted30 October 2006
Publication Date:
13 December 2017 (online)
Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of Homeopathic Arnica in reducing the morbidity following tonsillectomy
Methods: Randomised double blind, placebo controlled trial at a tertiary referral centre. 190 patients over the age of 18 undergoing tonsillectomy were randomised into intervention and control groups receiving either Arnica 30c or identical placebo, 2 tablets 6 times in the first post-operative day and then 2 tablets twice a day for the next 7 days. The primary outcome measure was the change in pain scores (visual analogue scale) recorded by the patient on a questionnaire over 14 days post-operatively; Secondary outcome measures were: analgesia consumption, visits to the GP or hospital, antibiotic usage, the day on which their swallowing returned to normal and the day on which they returned to work.
Results: 111 (58.4%) completed questionnaires were available for analysis. The Arnica group had a significantly larger drop in pain score from day 1 to day 14 (28.3) compared to the placebo group (23.8) with p<0.05. The two groups did not differ significantly on analgesic consumption or any of the other secondary outcome measures (number of post-operative visits to GP, use of antibiotics and secondary haemorrhage readmissions).
Conclusion: The results of this trial suggest that Arnica montana given after tonsillectomy provides a small, but statistically significant, decrease in pain scores compared to placebo.
-
References
- 1 Blair R.L., McKerrow W.S., Carter N.W., Fenton A. The Scottish tonsillectomy audit. The Audit Sub-Committee of the Scottish Otolaryngological Society. J Laryngol Otol (suppl) 1996; 20: 1-25.
- 2 Ranjit S., Brett R.H., Lu P.K.S., Aw C.Y. The incidence and management of post-tonsillectomy haemorrhage: a Singaporean experience. Singapore Med J 1999; 40: 622-626.
- 3 Tay H.L. Postoperative morbidity in electrodissection tonsillectomy. J Laryngol Otol 1995; 109: 209-211.
- 4 Roberts C., Jayaramachanran S., Raine C.H. A prospective study of factors, which may predispose to postoperative tonsillar fossa haemorrhage. Clin Otol 1992; 17: 13-17.
- 5 Murthy P., Laing M.R. Dissection tonsillectomy: pattern of postoperative pain, medication and resumption of normal activity. J Laryngol Otol 1998; 112: 41-44.
- 6 Salva J-J, Portell E. Homeopathy; Basic Principles and How to Apply Them. Cassel and Co. ISBN 1 84202 2002 119.
- 7 Livingston R. Homeopathy: Evergreen Medicine, Poole, Dorset, UK: Asher Press, 1991, ISBN: 0-9515410-0-5.
- 8 Norred C.L., Zamudio S., Palmer S.K. Use of complementary and alternative medicines by surgical patients. J Am Assoc Nurse-anesth 2000; 68 (01) 13-18.
- 9 Knuesel-Otto, Weber-Michel, Suter-Andy. Arnica montana gel in osteoarthritis of the knee: an open, multicenter clinical trial. Adv Ther 2002; 19 (05) 209-218.
- 10 Baillargeon L., Drouin J., Desjardins L., Leroux D., Audet D. The effects of Arnica montana on blood coagulation: a randomized controlled trial. Can Fam Physician 1993; 39: 2362-2367.
- 11 Pinsent R.J.F.H., Baker G.P.I., Ives G., Davey R.W., Jonas S. Does Arnica reduce pain and bleeding after dental extraction?. MHRG News 1984; 11: 71-72.
- 12 Bendre V.V., Dharmadhikari S.D. Arnica montana and Hypericum in dental practice. Hahnemannian Gleanings 1980; 47: 70-72.
- 13 Albertini H., Goldberg W., Sanguy B.B., Toulza C. Homeopathic treatment of dental neuralgia using Arnica and Hypericum: a summary of 60 observations. J Am Inst Homeopath 1985; 78: 126-128.
- 14 Kaziro G.S.N. Metronidazole (flagyl) and arnica Montana in the prevention of post surgical complications, a comparative placebo controlled trial. Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg 1984; 22: 42-49.
- 15 Hart O., Mullee M.A., Lewith G., Miller J. Double blind, placebo controlled, randomised clinical trial of homeopathic arnica C30 for pain and infection after total abdominal hysterectomy. J R Soc Med 1997; 90: 73-78.
- 16 Jeffrey S.L.A., Belcher H.J.C.R. Use of Arnica to relieve pain after carpal-tunnel release surgery. Altern Ther Health Med 2002; 8: 66-68.
- 17 Stevinson C., Devaraj V.S., Fountain-Barber A., Hawkins S., Ernst E. Homeopathic arnica for prevention of pain and bruising: randomized placebo-controlled trial in hand surgery. J R Soc Med 2003; 96 (02) 60-66.
- 18 Ernst E., Pittler M.H. Efficacy of homeopathic arnica: a systematic review of placebo-controlled clinical trials. Arch Surg 1998; 133 (11) 1187-1191.
- 19 Koo H., Gomes B.P., Rosalen P.L., Ambrosano G.M., Park Y.K., Cury J.A. In vitro antimicrobial activity of propolis and Arnica montana against oral pathogens. Arch Oral Biol 2000; 45 (02) 141-148.
- 20 O’Reilly B.J., Black S., Fernandes J., Panesar J. Is the routine use of antibiotics justified in adult tonsillectomy?. J Laryngol Otol 2003; 117 (05) 382