A comparison of postoperative pain and complications in tonsillectomy using BiClamp forceps and electrocautery tonsillectomy.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the efficacy and safety of BiClamp forceps tonsillectomy (BT) with standard electrocautery tonsillectomy (ET) in terms of postoperative pain and complication rates.


METHODS
Prospective randomized study.


METHODS
The following variables were examined: postoperative complications, intraoperative blood loss, operating time, postoperative pain and diet scores using visual analog scales, and time until return to normal activity.


RESULTS
The mean operating time and the grade of intraoperative blood loss were significantly lower in the BT group than in the ET group for both pediatric and adult patients. For adult patients, the overall complication rates were significantly lower in the BT group. In addition, a significant early decrease in the pain score and significant improvement in dietary intake until postoperative day 14 were observed in the BT group for both pediatric and adult patients.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of BiClamp forceps in tonsillectomy reduces the intraoperative blood loss and postoperative pain score, and facilitates an early return to normal diet and activity.
Lee
Seung Won
SW
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Wonmi-Gu, Bucheon, Korea.
Jeon
Soo Sung
SS
Lee
Jong Dae
JD
Lee
Jae Yong
JY
Kim
Shi Chan
SC
Koh
Yoon Woo
YW
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004564:Electrocoagulation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000453:epidemiology; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013525:Surgical Instruments; D014068:Tonsillectomy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*