Postoperative Outcomes in Cold Dissection Versus Bipolar Electrocautery Tonsillectomy: A Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Study.

Tonsillectomy is one of the oldest and most common procedures worldwide. This surgery is performed by different methods include cold dissection technique (CDT) and bipolar electrocautery technique (BET). Assessment and comparison of postoperative outcomes in cold dissection and bipolar electrocautery is the aim of present study. This randomized controlled clinical trial study was conducted as double-blind on 534 patients. The enrolled patients underwent tonsillectomy in Vali-e-Asr Hospital of Birjand city from Oct. 2013-Oct. 2015. Al patients systematically allocated into two groups treated with cold dissection or bipolar electrocautery methods. Intensity of throat pain scores, Otalgia, analgesic consumption, resume normal diet, body temperature and also wound healing on 10th day after operation were measured and compared between the two groups. The gathered data were analyzed by SPSS software (Ver-22) and using necessary tests. The differences between studied groups less than 0.5 (p < 0.05) considered significant statically. 51.7 and 50.6% in the CDT and the BET groups were male respectively. In comparison between the groups the mean of pain scores 4 and 24 h after operation in the BET group were higher significantly (p < 0.001). Otalgia only 4 h after surgery was higher significantly in the BET group (p = 0.008). All the other studied parameters were significantly more desirable in the CDT group (p < 0.001). According to the findings of present study it seems that the CDT is safer and more favorable than the BET in tonsillectomy. © Association of Otolaryngologists of India 2017.

RCT Entities:   Population Interventions Outcomes