Coblation tonsillectomy versus conventional tonsillectomy

Abstract

Objectives: The objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness of conventional tonsillectomy versus coblation tonsillectomy with respect to duration of surgery, amount of intraoperative bleeding, recovery time, and post-surgical pain. Material and Methods: Sixty patients were divided into two groups. One group underwent conventional tonsillectomy while coblation tonsillectomy was performed in the second group. Duration of surgery, amount of intraoperative bleeding, recovery time, and postsurgical pain were measured. All patients were followed for 24 months. Results: Comparing the coblation tonsillectomy group to the cold steel dissection tonsillectomy group, the mean duration of surgery was 6.92 versus 18 min, the amount of intraoperative bleeding was 2.75 versus 39.88 mL, and the difference on the post-operative pain scale between the two groups was statistically significant (P < 0.005). There was no recurrence of tonsillitis episodes in either of the two groups during the 2-year follow-up period. Conclusion: After adequate training, the coblation technique is beneficial to both the surgeon and the patient, including the possibility to excise tissue and coagulate bleeding vessels with the same device. Post-operative morbidity and complications are lower as compared to the conventional cold dissection technique.