Harmonic Scalpel vs "cold knife" dissection in uvulopalatopharyngoplasty.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study has been to compare the Harmonic Scalpel (HS) and the "cold knife" dissection in the treatment of snoring by uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP).


METHODS
The investigation included 40 adult males with snoring. Patients were assigned to two homogeneous groups (A and B) and UPPP was performed using HS or "cold knife" dissection in groups A and B, respectively. Before and 6 months after surgery, each patient was studied using the apnea-hypopnea index and a visual analogue scale of snore levels. Postoperative assessment of pain was evaluated on postoperative days 1 and 10. All the patients underwent to a perioperative evaluation concerning the duration of surgical dissection, the amount of intraoperative blood loss and days of hospitalization.


RESULTS
In group A, the HS provided excellent control without side effects on the adjacent structures and postoperative complications. Harmonic Scalpel's group experienced shorter operation time, lesser blood loss, fewer days of hospitalization and lower postoperative pain.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of the HS in UPPP is safe and confers some advantages over conventional methods of UPPP: its use led to diminished bleeding, shorter operation time, lesser pain, and better wound healing in the postoperative period.
Salami
Angelo
A
ENT Department, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
Dellepiane
Massimo
M
Bavazzano
Maurizio
M
Crippa
Barbara
B
Guastini
Luca
L
Mora
Renzo
R
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013517:Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation*; D010160:Palate, Soft / Q000601:surgery; D010614:Pharynx / Q000601:surgery; D012913:Snoring / Q000601:surgery*; D013523:Surgical Equipment; D014464:Ultrasonic Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D014609:Uvula / Q000601:surgery*