• Korean Journal of Bronchoesophagology
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.152-158
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• 2000

Backgroud and Objectives： Because the pain is subjective in human, we frequently need the objective tool for estimation of pain. The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) is a method for pain grading, but it is also a subjective method. The purpose of this study is to seek an objective method for measurement of pain. Author suggests that the estimation of local body temperature may be associated with the severity of pain in tonsillar disease and the change of it measured by Digital Infrared Thermographic Imaging (DITI), may also be correlated with the change of pain. Materials and Method : Four groups were selected and measured for VAS and body temperature in DITI. Group A and B were post-tonsillectomy groups divided by age. Group C was acute tonsillitis group. Group D was peritonsillar abscess group. Results : In Group A and B, the subjective VAS was significantly correlated with objective local body temperature (correlation coefficient r=0.673, 0.647) and significant correlation was also present in acute tonsillitis and peritonsillar abscess groups(r=0.596,0.642). Conclusion : The change of pain was strongly associated with that of local body temperature in tonsillar disease. DITI is a useful method for objective grading of pain and can be used for the study of postoperatve pain and effectiveness of pain control.