A comparative study of BiZact™ tonsillectomy versus cold steel dissection technique in adults: Analysis of operating time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative bleeding rate and pain.

OBJECTIVES: To analyse operating time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative bleeding rate and pain when using the relatively new BiZact™ tonsillectomy device compared to the commonly used cold steel dissection technique with bipolar cautery in adults. DESIGN: Retrospective case control study. Parameters analysed for significant association with technique were operating time, intraoperative blood loss, wound pain on postoperative days 1-4 and rate of post-tonsillectomy bleeding (PTB). SETTING: Monocentric study at a department of otolaryngology and head and neck surgery at a tertiary centre in Germany. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 183 patients who underwent a bilateral tonsillectomy with either the BiZact™ tonsillectomy device or the cold dissection technique with bipolar cautery for haemostasis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Operating time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative pain on the first to fourth postoperative day (numeric rating scale: 0-10) (PTB, primary bleeding ≤24 h, secondary bleeding >24 h postoperative; Stammberger scale). RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The BiZact™ tonsillectomy device leads to a significant shorter operating time with less intraoperative blood loss compared to cold steel dissection with bipolar haemostasis. No benefits with regards to PTB or postoperative pain could be observed. The use of the BiZact™ device provides major benefits in clinical routine and stands up to conventional tonsillectomy techniques.

Endoscopic negative pressure therapy (ENPT) in head and neck surgery: first experiences in treatment of postoperative salivary fistulas and cervical esophageal perforations.

INTRODUCTION: Iatrogenic cervical esophageal perforations (CEP) and postoperative salivary fistulas (PSF) are some of the complications requiring treatment in head and neck surgery. Conservative, surgical and endoscopic therapeutic techniques are used. Both CEP and PSF are potentially life-threatening complications and require intensive treatment. Endoscopic negative pressure therapy (ENPT) is an innovative endoscopic surgical procedure for the treatment of transmural intestinal defects throughout the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). In this retrospective study, we demonstrate its application in head and neck surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In ENPT, open-pore drains are placed endoscopically in the wound area. The drains can be inserted in an intraluminal position spanning the length of the defect (intraluminal ENPT), or through the defect into the extraluminal wound cavity (intracavitary ENPT). An electronic suction pump applies and maintains a continuous negative pressure of - 125 mmHg over a period of several days. The endoscopic drains are changed at regular intervals every few days until stable intracorporeal wound healing by secondary intention or defect closure is achieved. Between 06/2008 and 05/2019 ten patients (f = 3, m = 7; 46-78 years old) were treated with ENPT for CEP or PSF. Five patients had postoperative wound defects with consecutive PSF after total laryngectomy or floor of mouth resection. In five patients iatrogenic CEP was found following endoscopic procedures. RESULTS: In all patients treated with ENPT, healing of the perforation defect or fistula was achieved (cure rate 100%). The median treatment duration was 13.7 days (range 4-42 days). No relevant treatment-associated complications were observed. CONCLUSION: ENPT is a new, minimally invasive method for treating PSF and CEP.