title: A prospective randomized single-blind trial comparing ultrasonic scalpel tonsillectomy with tonsillectomy by blunt dissection in a pediatric age group.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine if there was a difference in postoperative pain and dietary intake when comparing ultrasonic scalpel (US) with blunt dissection tonsillectomy (BD) in children.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective single-blind randomized controlled trial comparing US and BD tonsillectomy in children aged between 5 and 13 years who undergo tonsillectomy for recurrent acute tonsillitis in a specialized pediatric hospital.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred and twenty-two children were enrolled. Ninety-three (76%) patients completed dietary and pain scales. Pain was significantly greater in the US group on postoperative days 1 and 3 (P = 0.0466, P = 0.0084) and overall (P = 0.0003). Dietary intake scores were significantly better in the US group on days 1, 5, 7, and 9, however, these scores were inconsistent with dietary intake scores declining in both groups throughout the study. Blood loss was statistically significantly greater in the BD group (33.1 ml vs 3.0 ml, P < 0.0001). There were no significant differences for all other observed outcomes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  US tonsillectomy causes significantly more pain overall and on postoperative days 1 and 3 when compared to BD tonsillectomy. US tonsillectomy causes less intraoperative blood loss, the clinical significance of which is questionable.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  US tonsillectomy appears to cause more postoperative pain than BD tonsillectomy in children aged 5 to 13 years undergoing tonsillectomy for recurrent acute tonsillitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Yorkhill, UK.
authors.forename: Michael O
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Oko
authors.forename: Ian
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ganly
authors.forename: Sean
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Loughran
authors.forename: W Andrew
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Clement
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Young
authors.forename: Neil K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Geddes
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004032:Diet; D004435:Eating; D006801:Humans; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020127:Recovery of Function; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013997:Time Factors; D014068:Tonsillectomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods*; D014069:Tonsillitis / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014464:Ultrasonic Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation*