Clinical Comparison of Post-Tonsillectomy Pain : Tonsillectomy Using Cold Instrument Versus Tonsillectomy Using Electrocautery

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Tonsillectomy is one of the most common operations in otolaryngology and is performed with various surgical techniques. It seems that there is no superior technique regarding post-tonsillectomy pain. We attempted to identify preferable methods of tonsillectomy in clinical practice by comparing the levels of postoperative pain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between June 2009 and Jan 2010, 80 cases of tonsillectomy were performed. In Group A (age : 10-15 years, 40 cases), 20 cases involved tonsillectomy via snare. The other 20 underwent tonsillectomy using electrocautery. The same surgical division was applied in Group B (25-40 ages, 40 cases). All tonsillectomies were performed under general anesthesia by the same surgeon. RESULT: The mean duration of postoperative pain after tonsillectomy by snare and tonsillectomy by electrocautery in Group A was 5.2+/-2.1 and 6.7+/-3.7, respectively. The mean duration of postoperative pain after tonsillectomy by snare and tonsillectomy by electrocautery in Group B was 7.4+/-1.4 and 10.8+/-3.2, respectively. The results indicate that electrocautery is the more painful method of the two tested methods. The difference in post-tonsillectomy pain was statistically significant between the surgical methods. CONCLUSION: It seems that snare tonsillectomy is a useful method for reducing post-tonsillectomy pain compared with that after electrocautery tonsillectomy.