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

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.

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.

Management of the staple line bleeding in laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: monopolar cautery versus oversewing.

OBJECTIVE: Staple line bleeding control (SLBC) after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is a serious problem. Cauterization alone is generally not preferred because of concerns about weakening the staple line. The aim of this study was to compare the suturing and monopolar cauterization methods for SLBC in LSG. METHODS: 212 patients were divided into two groups as cautery and suture groups. Demographic characteristics, intraoperative, and post-operative results were analyzed. RESULTS: Post-operative complications were seen in seven patients, four of them staple line bleeding (three patients were in the cautery group and one patient was in the suture group), and three of them leakage (all patients were in the suture group) from the staple line. There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of staple line bleeding (p = 0.35), staple line leakage (p = 0.09), blood loss (p = 0.12), intraoperative complications (p = 0.16), post-operative hemoglobin decrease (p = 0.63), and length of hospital stay (p = 0.35), but the operation time was longer in the suture group. CONCLUSION: This is the first study in literature comparing monopolar cauterization with another technique. Monopolar cauterization can be used for SLBC in LSG. It is a safe and efficient method as well as inexpensive.

OBJETIVO: El control del sangrado de la línea de grapas (SLBC) después de la gastrectomía en manga laparoscópica(LSG) es un problema grave. Generalmente, no se prefiere la cauterización sola debido a preocupaciones sobre el debilitamiento de la línea de grapas. El objetivo de este estudio fue comparar los métodos de sutura y cauterización monopolar para SLBC en LSG. MÉTODOS: 212 pacientes fueron divididos en 2 grupos de cauterización y sutura. Se analizaron las características demográficas, los resultados intraoperatorios y posoperatorios. RESULTADOS: Se observaron complicaciones posoperatorias en siete pacientes, cuatro de ellos sangrado en la línea de grapas (tres pacientes estaban en el grupo de cauterización, un paciente en el grupo de sutura) y tres de ellos fuga (todos los pacientes estaban en el grupo de sutura) del línea de grapas. No hubo diferencia significativa entre los grupos en términos de sangrado de la línea de grapas (p = 0.35), fuga dela línea de grapas (p = 0.09), pérdida de sangre (p = 0.12), complicaciones intraoperatorias (p = 0.16), disminución de hemoglobina postoperatoria (p = 0.63), duración dela estancia hospitalaria (p = 0.35), pero el tiempo de operación fue mayor en el grupo de sutura. CONCLUSIÓN: Este es el primer estudio que compara la cauterización monopolar con otra técnica. La cauterización monopolar se puede utilizar para SLBC en LSG. Es un método seguro, eficaz y económico.