Pediatric total tonsillectomy using coblation compared to conventional electrosurgery: a prospective, controlled single-blind study.
OBJECTIVE
Postoperative recovery after tonsillectomy using Coblation excision (CES) was compared with conventional electrosurgery (ES).


METHODS
Patients aged 3 to 12 years from 3 clinical sites were randomly assigned and blinded to receive tonsillectomy using CES (n = 44) or ES (n = 45).


RESULTS
Operative parameters did not differ between groups. Return to normal diet, activity, and pain-free status were similar, although fewer CES patients contacted the physician regarding postoperative complications (33% vs 54%; p = 0.081), experienced nausea (35% vs 62%, p = 0.013), or had localized site-specific swelling (p < 0.05) during the 2 weeks after surgery. In addition, CES children tended to discontinue prescription narcotics 1 day earlier than ES patients (7 vs 8 days, p = 0.071) and took one half as many daily doses. More CES than ES parents rated the postoperative experience as 'better than expected' (79% vs 60%, p = 0.055).


CONCLUSIONS
Children who received CES tonsillectomy appeared to experience a better quality postoperative course, with no detriment to operative benefits of conventional electrosurgery.
Stoker
Kelly E
KE
Mountain West Ear, Nose, and Throat, Boutiful, UT 84010, USA. kelly@thestokers.com
Don
Debra M
DM
Kang
D Richard
DR
Haupert
Michael S
MS
Magit
Anthony
A
Madgy
David N
DN
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004564:Electrocoagulation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D014068:Tonsillectomy / Q000379:methods*; D014069:Tonsillitis / Q000601:surgery*