Thermal welding versus bipolar tonsillectomy: a comparative study.
OBJECTIVE
To compare thermal welding tonsillectomy (TWT) with bipolar electrocautery tonsillectomy (BET) procedure.


METHODS
A prospective randomized study was conducted on 150 consecutive adult patients undergoing tonsillectomy. Indications included chronic tonsillitis and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Exclusion criteria included peritonsillar abscess history, bleeding disorders, and any other procedure together with tonsillectomy. Patients were randomly assigned to TWT or BET groups. Intraoperative bleeding, operative time, postoperative pain, complication rates, and return to normal diet were evaluated.


RESULTS
In the TWT group there was no measurable intraoperative bleeding, while mean bleeding for BET group was 16 mL. No significant difference regarding mean operative time was noticed. Mean postoperative pain score and mean time for return to normal diet were significantly lower in the TWT group. Primary hemorrhage occurred in 1 subject of the BET group. Secondary postoperative hemorrhage was noticed in 1 subject of the TWT group and 3 subjects of the BET group.


CONCLUSIONS
Thermal welding tonsillectomy procedure provides sufficient hemostasis, lower postoperative pain, and quick return to normal diet.


METHODS
A-1b.
Karatzias
George T
GT
Department of Otolaryngology, General Hospital of Larissa, Larissa, Greece.
Lachanas
Vassilios A
VA
Sandris
Vassilios G
VG
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004564:Electrocoagulation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005260:Female; D006488:Hemostasis, Surgical; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000453:epidemiology; D019106:Postoperative Hemorrhage / Q000453:epidemiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000601:surgery*; D014068:Tonsillectomy / Q000379:methods*; D014069:Tonsillitis / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome