Comparing the Efficacy of Surgical Instruments in Tonsillectomy Patients

Background and Objectives: To compare the efficacy of three surgical methods in tonsillectomy patients; combination of monopolar and bipolar diathermy (diathermy), coblation dissection using Evac (coblation), Harmonic scalpel assisted dissection (harmonic). Materials and Methods: Ninety-seven patients underwent tonsillectomy in a single institute between January 2020 and May 2021. Postoperative pain was evaluated using visual analogue scale (VAS) on postoperative 1 day, 1 week, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks. Degree of epithelization (DOE) was measured to assess recovery state on follow up period. Lastly, we compared operative time among the three groups to evaluate surgical efficacy. Results: Significant differences have been observed among three groups in operative time, postoperative pain score and DOE evaluated on week 1, 2, and 4. Both Harmonic and coblation group had significantly lower VAS and higher DOE, when compared with diathermy group. As for operative time, coblation group showed shorter operative time compared to other two groups. Conclusion: Both coblation and harmonic group showed better postoperative results when compared to diathermy method. Coblation and harmonic assisted tonsillectomy may be a safe, and effective method for tonsillectomy.