Microdebrider vs electrocautery: a comparison of tonsillar wound healing histopathology in a canine model.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate tonsillar wound healing histopathology in a canine model following microdebrider intracapsular and electrocautery tonsillectomy techniques.


METHODS
Randomized, controlled, single-blinded, paired comparison of histopathology.


METHODS
Twelve beagles underwent tonsillectomies by microdebrider on one side and electrocautery on the other. Punch biopsies were taken of the tonsillar fossae on postoperative days 3, 9, and 20. Specimens were graded with a novel mucosal wound healing scale (inter-rater reliability, r = 0.83) and appropriate statistical analysis performed.


RESULTS
Combined mucosal wound healing scale scores showed significantly faster healing on the microdebrider side when compared to the electrocautery side on postoperative day 3 and day 9 (P < 0.05), which equalized by day 20.


CONCLUSIONS
In a canine model of tonsillar wound healing, microdebrider intracapsular tonsillectomy produced significantly faster healing than electrocautery tonsillectomy in the early postoperative course. The "biologic dressing" theory of intracapsular tonsillectomy wound healing may account for observed differences in healing and suggests a mechanism for improved clinical outcomes.
Johnson
Kaalan
K
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, USA.
Vaughan
Andrew
A
Derkay
Craig
C
Welch
J Camille
JC
Werner
Alice
A
Kuhn
M Ann
MA
Singletary
Sylvia
S
Bondy
Peter
P
D000818:Animals; D003646:Debridement; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004285:Dogs; D004564:Electrocoagulation; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000473:pathology; D014066:Palatine Tonsil / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011184:Postoperative Period; D014068:Tonsillectomy / Q000379:methods*; D014945:Wound Healing