Bleeding following tonsillectomy. A study of electrocoagulation and ligation techniques.

The efficiency of electrocoagulation (spot or zonal) and ligation for the control of bleeding was compared in 376 patients with tonsillectomy. Electrocoagulation and ligation was used in the same number of patients (188) in each group. A notable reduction in operative time (40%) was seen in cases in which spot or zonal electrocoagulation was employed. More morbidity was found in cases treated with zonal electrocoagulation. Both techniques were concluded to be equally effective in the control of bleeding following tonsillectomy.