Comparison of LigaSure vessel sealing system, harmonic scalpel, and cold knife tonsillectomy.
OBJECTIVE
We sought to compare LigaSure Vessel Sealing System tonsillectomy (LT), Harmonic Scalpel tonsillectomy (HST), and cold knife tonsillectomy (CKT).


METHODS
We conducted a prospective study on 161 adult patients undergoing tonsillectomy. Subjects were randomized to LT, HST, or CKT groups, and intraoperative bleeding, operative time, postoperative pain, and complication rates were assessed.


RESULTS
The LT, HST, and CKT groups consisted of 50, 43, and 37 individuals, respectively. Intraoperative bleeding was significantly lower in the LT group, whereas bleeding in the HST group was significantly lower than that in the CKT group. Operative time and postoperative pain were significantly lower in the LT and HST groups. One primary hemorrhage occurred in the HST group, and one occurred in he CKT group. Secondary hemorrhage occurred in one, two, and one patients in the LT, HST, and CKT groups, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
LT and HST have shown comparable results regarding intraoperative blood loss, postoperative hemorrhage, and pain. Compared with CKT, both were associated with less intraoperative blood loss and pain.
Lachanas
Vassilios A
VA
Department of Otolaryngology, 404 Military Hospital of Larissa, Greece. vlachanas@gmail.com
Hajiioannou
John K
JK
Karatzias
George T
GT
Filios
Dimitrios
D
Koutsias
Stylianos
S
Mourgelas
Charalambos
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000209:etiology; D019106:Postoperative Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors; D014068:Tonsillectomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D014069:Tonsillitis / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome