Publication:

Comparative study between conventional dissection method versus bipolar cautery as a method of tonsillectomy

Background Aim of the study was to compare the conventional dissection versus bipolar cautery as method of tonsillectomy.

Methods This hospital based prospective study consists of total 50 patients with chronic tonsillitis who were 5-18 years of age. Each patient randomly underwent tonsillectomy using the conventional dissection on one side and bipolar cautery on the other side. The patients were followed up on 1st, 3rd, 7th, 14th and 30th post operative day. Statistical analysis was done using paired-t test.

Results In this study maximum number of patients were found in the age group of 11-15 years. The study showed that males were affected more than the females. Duration of surgical technique was significantly more in Bipolar cautery method than that in conventional dissection method. Intra-operative blood loss was more in Conventional dissection method. Post-operative pain was assessed using VAS (Visual analogue scale) and was significantly more in Bipolar cautery method as compared to the dissection method. Slough formation was more in Bipolar cautery method than dissection method on Day 1st, 3rd, 7th, and similar on both sides on 14th post-operative day. There was no post-operative bleeding seen in any of the methods in this study.

Conclusions Intra-operative blood loss was more in Conventional dissection method. Duration of surgery, post-operative pain and slough formation was more in Bipolar cautery method.