HONEY for the Treatment of POst-Tonsillectomy Pain

Double-blind, randomised, placebo controlled, single-site trial in adults to compare the effect of Manuka honey with standard of care compared to placebo with standard of care on post-tonsillectomy pain and postoperative outcomes. Main aim is to investigate a potential improvement in post-tonsillectomy pain control, with a low cost and freely available alternative to conventional analgesics. Recent systematic review and multidisciplinary consensus suggest a potential role for the inclusion of honey for this purpose. Clinical efficacy over placebo remains to be conclusively demonstrated in robust clinical trials.

Inclusion Criteria: * Adult (≥18years old at the time of giving consent) * Consented and listed for bilateral tonsillectomy or adenotonsillectomy * Tonsillectomy performed within the trial study period Exclusion Criteria: * Any concurrent Head \& Neck (H\&N) malignancy * Unilateral tonsillectomy * Pregnancy * Concurrent pharyngeal or upper aerodigestive tract biopsy * Robotic tonsillectomy * Previous H\&N malignancy * Previous H\&N radiotherapy * Type 1/2 diabetes mellitus * Known allergy to bee related products * Known allergy to golden syrup * History of chronic pain * History of fibromyalgia * Current usage of chronic (\>6weeks) analgesia * High-risk anaesthetic patients * Children or adolescents \