title: Coblation vs electrocautery tonsillectomy: postoperative recovery in adults.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Comparison of coblation and monopolar electrocautery tonsillectomy in terms of postoperative pain and recovery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective double-blind randomized controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with recurrent tonsillitis requiring tonsillectomy were randomized to 2 groups: coblation or monopolar electrocautery tonsillectomy. Postoperative pain, complications, and days taken to return to work and normal diet were compared and analyzed with the aid of a pain diary, given to the patient.
  
  
  RESULTS
  67 patients were recruited. Patients undergoing coblation tonsillectomy were able to return to normal diet in a shorter space of time following surgery. Patients undergoing coblation tonsillectomy were more likely to recommend the surgery than patients undergoing electrocautery tonsillectomy. No significant differences in the daily visual analog score for pain were seen for both groups of patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results showed that coblation tonsillectomy has a faster recovery period and may offer advantages when compared to monopolar electrocautery tonsillectomy.
authors.affiliation: Division of Otolaryngology, Changi General Hospital, Republic of Singapore. alvintkl@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Alvin Kah Leong
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: Pon Poh
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.forename: Soh Ping
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Eng
authors.forename: Yuk Hui
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.forename: Peter Kuo Sun
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Su Meng
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: Jia Huey
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Say
authors.forename: Yiong Huak
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Chan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017115:Catheter Ablation; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004564:Electrocoagulation; D006801:Humans; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014068:Tonsillectomy / Q000379:methods* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D014945:Wound Healing