[Tonsillectomy with the argon-plasma-coagulation-raspatorium - a prospective randomized single-blinded study].
BACKGROUND
The Argon-Plasma-Coagulation (APC) offers an innovative possibility for the tonsillectomy combined with a high-frequency technology. Aim of our study was to inves-tigate the differences between this high-frequency-technology and the traditional tonsillectomy. No reports exist in the use of the APC in the tonsillectomy.


METHODS
Argon-Plasma-Coagulation tonsillectomy (TE-APC) was compared with the traditional blunt dissection tonsillectomy (TE-trad) with hemostasis by compression and bipolar coagulation. 133 patients were stratified in two age groups in a clinical prospective randomised study.


RESULTS
Average surgical time and blood loss were markedly decreased in the TE-APC group (p<0,01). There was no significant difference between the two techniques concerning postoperative pain, otalgia, and primary or secondary haemorrhage. In the TE-APC group more extensive fibrin layer appeared after surgery. In the TE-APC patients' group, there was a slightly higher consume of analgetics in some postoperative days.


CONCLUSIONS
The one-step dissection and coagulation procedure leads to an almost bloodfree woundground and to a reduction of operation-time. The self-limited and effective coagualative properties of the APC-method leads to a controlled penetration depth. The often associated extensive post operative pain and uncontrolled tissue- damage, known from electrical and lasersurgical techniques, was not found in TE-APC-patients-group.
Bergler
W
W
Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Klinik, Universitätsklinikum Mannheim.
Huber
K
K
Hammerschmitt
N
N
Hölzl
M
M
Hörmann
K
K
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical / Q000503:physiopathology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017075:Laser Coagulation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D014068:Tonsillectomy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology