EVALUATION OF SAFETY OF BIPOLAR DIATHERMY TONSILLECTOMY
Abstract
Background: Tonsillectomy is a common operation in both children as well as adults, performedby a variety of techniques that have evolved over the years to ensure the safety of the procedure.
Cold dissection and electrodissection are the two mostly used techniques. Bipolar diathermy
tonsillectomy was evaluated for its safety and postoperative morbidity. Methods: This study was
conducted over a period of two years, in the Department of Ear, Nose Throat and Head & Neck
Surgery at Ayub Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad, Pakistan. Two hundred and forty-six were
enrolled; however, 238 patients completed the full evaluation as the technique had to be modified
in 8 patients. All the procedures were performed by the first author thereby ensuring the same
expertise level. Operating time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative algesia, feeding status and
time taken getting back to school/work and episodes of secondary bleeding were recorded.
Results: Time taken by the procedure ranged from 10 to 20 minutes. Intraoperative blood loss
ranged between 2 to 5 ml. Postoperative pain averaged around 3-5 on a 1-10 point scale in 75%
of patients. 80% of patients were back to normal diet by day 3 postoperative. Nine (3.6%) patients
had a secondary haemorrhage that was managed conservatively and did not need surgical
intervention. Conclusion: Bipolar diathermy tonsillectomy is an effective and safe technique,
especially in children population. Adequate experience with the technique is mandatory to achieve
the desired goals.
Keywords: Tonsillectomy; Electro dissection; Bipolar diathermy; Morbidity
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