How we do it: coblation tonsillectomy complication rates from a single ENT department compared with the National Prospective Tonsillectomy Audit.
Coblation tonsillectomy is a relatively new technique, the results of which need auditing within practising units, to justify its continued usage. * The National Prospective Tonsillectomy Audit provides an excellent source of data for individual units to compare their results to. * This retrospective audit of 391 coblation tonsillectomies shows that our units haemorrhage and return to theatre rates are similar to the National rates for cold steel & ties data. * Resolution of training issues and patient selection may lead to increased use of this technique.
Clark
M P A
MP
Department of Otolaryngology, Northampton General Hospital, UK. mattanna@hotmail.com
Smithard
A
A
Jervis
P
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019985:Benchmarking; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004564:Electrocoagulation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006748:Hospital Departments / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008485:Medical Audit; D008875:Middle Aged; D019106:Postoperative Hemorrhage / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014068:Tonsillectomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome