Past and present instrument use in pediatric adenotonsillectomy.
OBJECTIVE
Examine changing trends/instrument usage for pediatric adenotonsillectomy.


METHODS
Survey of 300 members of the American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology assessing instruments used in adenotonsillectomy currently and over the past 15 years.


RESULTS
A total of 120 surveys were returned. The most common total tonsillectomy instruments for obstruction/infection were: monopolar electrocautery (ME) (53.1%/54.5%) and coblation (CT) (16.0%/16.1%). The most common subtotal tonsillectomy instrument for obstruction/infection was microdebrider (51.4%/30.8%). Over the past 15 years, ME predominated, cold utilization declined, and CT rose. The most common adenoidectomy instruments were ME (25.0%/25.0%), curette with touch-up ME (22.4%/22.4%), and microdebrider with touch-up ME (19.0%/14.7%). Over the past 15 years, curette with touch-up ME predominated early, curette utilization alone declined, and ME, microdebrider, and CT have risen.


CONCLUSIONS
Pediatric otolaryngologist technique/instrument use for adenotonsillectomy has changed over the past 15 years. This study may be limited by the low survey response rate.
Walner
David L
DL
Department of Otolaryngology and Bronchoesophagology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA. dwalner@comcast.net
Parker
Noah P
NP
Miller
Robert P
RP
D000233:Adenoidectomy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000639:trends; D000293:Adolescent; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000639:trends; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003452:Cryosurgery / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000639:trends; D003475:Curettage / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000639:trends; D003646:Debridement / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000639:trends; D004564:Electrocoagulation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000639:trends; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000639:trends; D010036:Otolaryngology / Q000639:trends; D014068:Tonsillectomy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000639:trends; D014464:Ultrasonic Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000639:trends