Comparison of Three Tonsillectomy Techniques: Cold Dissection, Monopolar Electrocautery, and Coblation

Abstract

Introduction Tonsillectomy is among the most common otolaryngological surgeries. Objective To evaluate and compare three tonsillectomy techniques: cold steel dissection (CSD), monopolar electrocautery (MEC), and coblation. Methods The present study retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who underwent tonsillectomy between January 2014 and January 2016. Postoperative visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores, analgesic use, surgical duration, time to return to normal activity, and postoperative bleeding status were noted. Results The CSD group had less analgesic use and shorter return to normal activity than the MEC group (p = 0.037 and p < 0.001, respectively). The coblation group had lower VAS pain scores than the MEC group only at 1 hour to 4 hours postsurgery (p < 0.016). The postoperative bleeding rate was similar in all groups (p = 0.096). Conclusion Cold steel dissection tonsillectomy is associated with less postoperative pain and shorter recovery than MEC. Coblation is better than MEC in terms of postoperative pain at 1 hour to 4 hours only, whereas CSD is associated with less postoperative pain than coblation at 2 days to 7 days.