EXPLORING NOVEL METHODS TO REDUCE POST-TONSILLECTOMY MORBIDITY IN ADULTS

Tonsillectomy is one of the most common Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) surgical procedures worldwide. However, despite advances in surgical techniques, post-tonsillectomy pain and bleeding remain significant health problems for patients and the health system. Additionally, unplanned hospital readmissions following tonsillectomy are also increasing globally. Therefore, new approaches to reducing acute pain and bleeding should be investigated. This thesis investigated the potential role of probiotic gargles in reducing post-tonsillectomy pain and bleeding. A pilot, triple-blind, randomised controlled trial and feasibility study was successfully conducted, which compared the effectiveness of probiotic gargles to placebo gargles in reducing post-tonsillectomy pain and bleeding.