title: The influence of bismuth subgallate and adrenaline paste upon operating time and operative blood loss in tonsillectomy.
abstract: The aims of this study were to demonstrate the effect of bismuth subgallate and adrenaline paste application to the tonsillar fossae on operating time and peroperative blood loss during tonsillectomy. Ninety-eight patients were included in a prospective randomized trial. Bismuth subgallate powder is mixed with 10 ml of normal saline and 0.03 ml of 1:1000 adrenaline to make a paste. This paste is used as a topical haemostatic agent during tonsillectomy. Bismuth subgallate activates Factor XII and therefore accelerates the coagulation cascade. Adrenaline causes vasoconstriction and promotes platelet aggregation. The application of bismuth subgallate and adrenaline paste to the tonsillar fossae during tonsillectomy reduces operating time by 23 per cent for Consultant staff (p < 0.05) and 32 per cent for Junior staff (p < 0.05). Blood loss is reduced by 21 per cent (p > 0.05), for the average paediatric tonsillectomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of ENT Surgery, University College Hospital, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Callanan
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Curran
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Smyth
authors.forename: P K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Gormley
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005707:Gallic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D006490:Hemostatics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D014068:Tonsillectomy
chemical_list: D004338:Drug Combinations; D006490:Hemostatics; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D005707:Gallic Acid; C002170:bismuth subgallate; D004837:Epinephrine