title: Optical magnification devices in tonsillectomy: a prospective randomised clinical study.
abstract: Tonsillectomy is one of the most common surgical procedure in otorhinolaryngology. A plethora of approaches has been undertaken so far to limit postoperative pain, one of the major problems patients are concerned with. Thermal damages of the surrounding tissue caused by coagulation during surgery are discussed to correlate with postoperative pain. Therefore, we studied whether the use of magnification devices reduced coagulation procedures and consequently limited post-operative pain. Following an intraindividual design, we performed tonsillectomy on one side using a microscope or magnifying glasses whereas the opposite side was operated with unsupported vision. As verified by a visual analogue scale, our study shows that neither the use of a microscope, nor the use of magnifying glasses leads to less post-operative pain. Other parameters like post-operative bleeding, duration of surgery, and total applied energy by bipolar coagulation were also comparable in the different treatment groups. Taken together, magnification-supported tonsillectomy does not seem to be appropriate for limiting complications of tonsillectomy, especially not for reducing post-operative pain.
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenheilkunde, Klinikum der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Marchioninistraße 15, 81377, Munich, Germany, florian.schroetzlmair@med.uni-muenchen.de.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Schrötzlmair
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Geerke
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Kisser
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Reichel
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vögele
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Stelter
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005139:Eyeglasses; D005260:Female; D006488:Hemostasis, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008853:Microscopy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019106:Postoperative Hemorrhage / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014068:Tonsillectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome