Evaluation of diode laser and radiofrequency [coblation] tonsillectomy in comparison to conventional dissection technique

ABSTRACT

This study included 45 patients with chronic tonsillitis. They were selected and randomly divided into three groups [each including 15 patients] Group I was subjected to diode laser tonsillectomy, group II was subjected to coblation tonsillectomy and group III were subjected to conventional dissection technique. All patients had to answer a questionnaire recording their pain score [from 0 to 5]. Each technique was assessed concerning the operative time, intraoperative bleeding, postoperative pain score and postoperative complications. The data were collected and subjected to a statistical analysis. The mean operative time was 25, 23 and 15.3 minutes in groups I, II and III, respectively. The mean intraoperative blood loss was 12.8 ml in group I, 14.5 ml in group II and 80.4 in group III. The mean pain scores were less in groups I and II than group III. The maximum pain was felt at the 7th postoperative day in groups I and II comparing with group III who had their peak at the 4th postoperative day. There were no cases of reactionary or secondary hemorrhage