Comparison of Bipolar Diathermy and Suture Ligation for Haemostasis in Tonsillectomy

Abstract

Objective: To compare bipolar diathermy and suture ligation for haemostasis in tonsillectomy in terms of the amount of blood loss, number of ligatures applied, average time taken and incidence of postoperative haemorrhage. Study Design: Randomized controlled trial Place and Duration of Study: Multicenter study conducted in ENT Surgery Departments/Units of Public and Private Sector Hospitals of Lahore from 1st July 2017 to 31st July 2018. Methodology: Sixty six patients were enrolled. Informed consent and demographic information was takenfrom all the patients. Patient himself was the control and the trial. One tonsil was treated with ligation technique (Group A) and other with bipolar diathermy technique (Group B). Both the tonsil side and the technique were randomized. The outcome in both groups was noted. Results: The mean age was 12.39±7.41 years and male to female ratio was 0.8:1. The mean haemostasis time in group A was 14.32±2.81 minutes whereas in group B patients it was 10.62±1.76 minutes. The mean blood loss in group A patients was 42.82±13.360 ml whereas in group B patients was 28.015±8.619 ml. The incidence of post-operative haemorrhage was zero for both bipolar diathermy and suture ligation, which shows the safety of both procedures. Conclusion: Bipolar diathermy is safe, effective, easier and faster technique for haemostasis in tonsillectomy than ligation technique Keywords: Tonsillectomy, Bipolar Diathermy, Ligation Technique