title: Blood splash from different diathermy instruments during tonsillectomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the potential risk of blood contamination of the surgeon's conjunctiva during tonsillectomy using disposable bipolar diathermy and reusable monopolar diathermy.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective, single-blind, randomized, controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Elective tonsillectomy was performed using either disposable bipolar diathermy or reusable monopolar diathermy. The operating surgeon wore a ViewsafeTM protective eyeshield which was later examined under an operating microscope by a blinded observer and the number of blood spots counted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred and sixty-eight patients were enrolled. The relative risk of conjunctival contamination of the surgeon using disposable bipolar diathermy was 2.8 times that with reusable monopolar diathermy (chi-squared test, p < 0.0005). A previous history of peritonsillar abscess and additional adenoidectomy were associated with increased blood splatter.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of disposable bipolar diathermy for haemostasis during tonsillectomy poses a greater risk of conjunctival contamination for the surgeon than using reusable monopolar diathermy.
authors.affiliation: Department of ENT, Antrim Area Hospital, Antrim, Northern Ireland, UK. b.hanna@qub.ac.uk
authors.forename: B C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Hanna
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Smyth
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gallagher
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001769:Blood; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical / Q000517:prevention & control; D017848:Blood-Borne Pathogens; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003228:Conjunctiva; D003972:Diathermy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004209:Disposable Equipment; D017743:Equipment Reuse; D005135:Eye Protective Devices; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control; D017758:Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D009660:Northern Ireland; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D014068:Tonsillectomy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D014069:Tonsillitis / Q000601:surgery*