title: Post-tonsillectomy pain after using bipolar diathermy scissors or the harmonic scalpel: a randomised blinded study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the postoperative pain following bipolar diathermy scissors tonsillectomy (higher temperature dissection) with harmonic scalpel tonsillectomy (lower temperature dissection).
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty patients aged 7-40 years planned for tonsillectomy with no other concurrent surgery were randomised to either bipolar diathermy scissors or harmonic scalpel as surgical technique. Blinded to the surgical technique, the patients recorded their pain scores (VAS, 0-10) at awakening and the worst pain level of the day in the postoperative period. All intake of pain medication was also recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No statistically significant differences were found between the two groups regarding postoperative pain levels or consumption of pain medication.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Usage of the harmonic scalpel does not render less postoperative pain following tonsillectomy when compared with usage of the bipolar diathermy scissors.
authors.affiliation: Dept of Otorhinolaryngology, Västerås Central Hospital, 721 89, Västerås, Sweden.
authors.forename: Linn
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Arbin
authors.affiliation: Dept of Anaesthesiology, Västerås Central Hospital and Centre for Clinical Research, Uppsala University, County hospital, 721 89, Västerås, Sweden.
authors.forename: Mats
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Enlund
authors.affiliation: Dept of Otorhinolaryngology, Västerås Central Hospital and Centre for Clinical Research, Uppsala University, County hospital, 721 89, Västerås, Sweden. johan.knutsson@regionvastmanland.se.
authors.forename: Johan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Knutsson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D003972:Diathermy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D004210:Dissection / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013525:Surgical Instruments / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014068:Tonsillectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D059708:Ultrasonic Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics
keywords: Bipolar diathermy; Harmonic scalpel; Postoperative pain; Tonsillectomy