Coblation Tonsillectomy versus Conventional Dissection Tonsillectomy

Kim, Byung Guk; Park, Hong Jin; Park, So Young; Jung, Hyun Chul; Cho, Jin Hee

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: A variety of tonsillectomy has been performed to treat chronic tonsillitis or tonsillar enlargement. Coblation, one of the radiofrequency electrosurgeries, has been introduced as another modality of tonsillectomy to minimizing the heat-induced tissue damage accompanied by electrocautery. The aim of this study is to find the advantages and disadvantages of coblation tonsillectomy compared with conventional tonsillectomy using cold dissection.
SUBJECTS AND METHOD
Eighteen patients who underwent tonsillectomy in St. Paul's hospital between January and June in 2006 were included in this study. Conventional tonsillectomy was performed on one side, and coblation tonsillectomy on the other side in one subject. The operation time, postoperative pain, otalgia, bleeding rate and mucosal healing of the tonsillar fossa were evaluated on both sides in every patient.
RESULTS
The operation time, postoperative otalgia, and bleeding rate were not significantly different for either sides. The postoperative pain was less severe on the coblation side only on the third day. But the mucosal healing of the tonsillar fossa was more rapid on the coblation side than cold dissection side.
CONCLUSION
Coblation tonsillectomy can be a new method that will ensure rapid tissue healing but gives almost the same postoperative outcome in pain and hemorrhage as the conventional dissection tonsillectomy.