Comparative Study between Cold Dissection and Bipolar Diathermy Dissection Methods of Tonsillectomy

Abstract

Abstract
A comparative study between two methods of tonsillectomy - Cold Dissection and Bipolar Diathermy Dissection was conducted in 60 patients. The parameters for comparison were duration of the surgical technique, tonsillectomy associated haemorrhage and post-operative local pain. Duration of the surgical technique was significantly lesser in the Bipolar Diathermy Dissection method than that in the Cold Dissection method. Intra-operative haemorrhage was also significantly reduced in the Bipolar Diathermy Dissection method. In the Cold Dissection method, there were three cases of reactionary haemorrhage, but there was no case of post-operative haemorrhage in the Bipolar Diathermy Dissection method. The post-operative pain levels were the same in the day of surgery, but from post-operative day one onwards, pain was more on the side operated with bipolar diathermy dissection. The side on which cold dissection was done showed quicker reduction of pain as well as lesser intensity of pain.
Key words: Chronic tonsillitis; tonsillectomy, cold steel dissection,bipolar diathermy dissection,tonsil hypertrophy