Methods of haemostasis in tonsillectomy assessed by pain scores and consultation rates. The Roskilde County Tonsillectomy Study.
OBJECTIVE
To compare four methods of haemostasis after tonsillectomy assessed by pain scores and consultation rates.


METHODS
A prospective study. The method of sole compression of the tonsillar fossae with gauze tampons was compared to ligation, bipolar diathermy and ligation/diathermy in combination.


RESULTS
Highly significantly lower pain scores after discharge were found in the compression group compared to the other three groups (p < 0.025). The consultation rate in person after discharge of the compression group was significantly lower than in the diathermy group (p < 0.01) and the ligation/diathermy group (p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Sole compression was associated with considerably less morbidity and no higher risk of postoperative haemorrhage. Sole compression should therefore be preferred in tonsillectomy whenever the surgeon considers it to be justified.
Rungby
J A
JA
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, County Hospital, Roskilde, Denmark. j.a.rungby@dadlnet.dk
Rømeling
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Borum
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D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006489:Hemostatic Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014068:Tonsillectomy / Q000379:methods*; D014069:Tonsillitis / Q000601:surgery*