Radiofrequency treatment of tonsillar hypertrophy.
OBJECTIVE
To describe radiofrequency electrosurgery and the devices and techniques available for using this technology to treat tonsillar hypertrophy.


METHODS
Review.


METHODS
Electrosurgical devices, which include the Bovie, Elmed, somnoplasty, and coblation systems and argon plasma coagulators, use energy transfer by means of electromagnetic radiation to generate heat within tissue for cutting and coagulation. With these devices, tonsillar tissue can be removed completely, partly ablated, or decreased in volume.


RESULTS
Tissue ablation with radiofrequency that preserves the outer portion of the tonsillar capsule may reduce postoperative pain and allow earlier return to normal diet and activity. Removal of the entire tonsil using the coblation method may produce less damage in adjacent tissue than standard electrosurgery, thereby decreasing postoperative pain and healing time. Tissue reduction procedures may have a reduced risk of bleeding and produce less patient discomfort than other methods and can be performed in the office setting in some patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Use of radiofrequency technology may decrease the morbidity associated with treatment of tonsillar hypertrophy. Preliminary trials of radiofrequency procedures have yielded promising results, but larger studies evaluating costs and benefits are needed.
Plant
Randall L
RL
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, Virginia 23507, USA. rlplant@csoft.net
D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004598:Electrosurgery / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006984:Hypertrophy / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000517:prevention & control; D000078702:Radiofrequency Therapy; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014068:Tonsillectomy / Q000379:methods*; D014069:Tonsillitis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome