title: Alternative surgical dissection techniques.
abstract: The bipolar scissors, coblator, harmonic scalpel, and somnoplasty techniques are widely available and offer new choices for the operating arena. There are advantages and disadvantages to all four techniques. With time, these dissection methods will prove their lasting power. Otolaryngologists have already begun to expand their applications and will surely play a role in their use and development.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, 4200 East Ninth Avenue, B 205, Denver, CO 80262, USA. Thomas.carroll@uchsc.edu
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Carroll
authors.forename: Keith
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ladner
authors.forename: Arlen D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Meyers
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004564:Electrocoagulation / Q000295:instrumentation; D004598:Electrosurgery / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D013517:Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D010160:Palate, Soft / Q000601:surgery; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000601:surgery; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000601:surgery; D012913:Snoring / Q000601:surgery; D013525:Surgical Instruments / Q000639:trends*; D013552:Swine; D013997:Time Factors; D014068:Tonsillectomy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D014420:Turbinates / Q000601:surgery