Diathermy versus ligation for hemostasis in tonsillectomy - a study on postoperative pain and hemorrhage

ABSTRACT

To assess the difference between suture ligation and diathermy techniques of tonsillectomy in our setting and to select a better and safer haem procedure for tonsillectomy. Single blind comparative interventional type of study. This study was conducted in Bahawal Victoria Hospital Bahawalpur and Shahina Jamil Hospital Abbottabad from 1[st] March 2010 to 31[st] January 2011. 80 patients were divided into suture ligation and diathermy groups and their postoperative pain and bleeding rates were compared and analyzed. We found that the difference in results of hemostasis between ligation and diathermy was statistically significant in terms of postoperative pain. Regarding postoperative haemorrhage, the difference between diathermy and ligation was non-significant. It is concluded that in our set up, tonsillectomy hemostasis with diathermy was a better and safer technique comparing ligation especially in terms of postoperative pain