Submucosal minimally invasive lingual excision: an effective, novel surgery for pediatric tongue base reduction

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to develop an effective single intraoral, minimally invasive technique to reduce the enlarged tongue base in children with obstructive macroglossia. METHODS: We present the anatomic dissection of fresh cadavers and a representative case series of children who underwent submucosal minimally invasive lingual excision (SMILE) with a plasma-mediated radiofrequency device (coblation) under intraoral ultrasonic and endoscopic guidance. Multiple anatomic dissections determined the relative location of the hypoglossal nerve and lingual neurovascular bundle in relation to removable tongue base musculature. A pediatric case series demonstrates the straightforward SMILE technique. RESULTS: Laboratory anatomic dissection and clinical lingual ultrasonography revealed the surgical safety borders for SMILE. The surgical safety and efficacy of SMILE is demonstrated by preoperative and postoperative clinical examinations and polysomnograms in children with obstructive macroglossia (such as Beckwith-Wiedemann and Down syndromes and tongue vascular malformation). Coblation submucosally removes excessive tongue base tissue through a small anterior tongue incision. SMILE was performed without excessive pain, bleeding, edema, infection, or tongue dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: SMILE is an effective novel operation that incorporates coblation with ultrasonography and endoscopic guidance for children who need tongue base reduction. Anatomic dissection and clinical cases demonstrate the potential for aggressive yet relatively safe tissue removal by this minimally invasive technique. SMILE also has significant potential for adults with obstructive sleep apnea due to a large tongue base.     

等离子扁桃体切除术与常规剥离法扁桃体切除术之比较

目的:比较等离子扁桃体切除术与常规剥离法扁桃体切除术对患者术中、术后的影响。方法:随机将56例患者分为等离子组和对照组,等离子组用低温等离子射频消融系统连接EVac70刀头,能量设置为6,切除扁桃体;对照组则采用常规剥离法扁桃体切除术,手术均由同一术者完成。记录两侧扁桃体切除所需时间和出血量;术后第1天至第10天患者每日记录咽部疼痛情况,恢复正常活动时间和正常饮食时间;术后第10天,医师观察并记录扁桃体窝内的白膜状况。结果:等离子组手术时间比对照组短,术中总出血量<10ml,而对照组平均出血量为(119±43)ml;等离子组患者术后疼痛轻于对照组,且比对照组更早恢复正常饮食;2组患者恢复正常活动时间的差异无统计学意义;等离子组较对照组白膜脱落慢。等离子组有1例患者于术后第7天口咽部有活动性出血,需缝扎止血。结论:等离子扁桃体切除术与剥离法相比,患者术后疼痛明显减轻,出血量极少,手术方法容易掌握,但扁桃体窝愈合的时间较长。     

Radiofrequency tonsil reduction: safety,morbidity, and efficacy

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the safety, morbidity, and efficacy of radiofrequency tissue volume reduction of tonsils using two different surgical techniques and to compare these two techniques with each other and with classic tonsillectomy. STUDY DESIGN: A nonrandomized retrospective review of tonsil reductions was made between 2000 and 2002 using in vivo studies associated with tonsil reduction and tonsillectomy performed either in the hospital operating room or in the outpatient treatment area. METHODS: We studied 150 patients and divided them into three main groups based on surgical technique. Group A consisted of 50 consecutive patients who underwent tonsil "ablation," Group B contained another 50 consecutive individuals who received tonsil "coblation," and Group C consisted of 50 patients who underwent classic tonsillectomy (cold dissection). Each group consisted of two subcategories of children (age range, 1-12 y) and adults (age range, 12-60 y) with chronic tonsillar hypertrophy. Most of the pediatric patients underwent adenoidectomy during the same surgical procedure. Indications for tonsillectomy were those listed by the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. A retrospective chart review was used to assess procedures, safety, morbidity, and efficacy of tonsil reduction and tonsillectomy. Four specific end points of morbidity were investigated: pain, return to normal diet, return to normal activity, and use of pain medication. Efficacy of tonsillectomy was determined by the clinical observation of the remaining tonsillar tissue and compared with pretreatment photographs of the tonsils. RESULTS: There were no complications in any of the groups. Efficacy was assessed based on the mean tonsil reduction and was found to be 100% for tonsillectomy, 86% for the tonsil coblation technique, but only 53.6% for the ablation technique. Morbidity was minimal in groups A and B and significantly greater in Group C. The number of pain days, narcotic-use days, and days before return to normal diet and activity were greatly reduced in groups A and B when compared with classic tonsillectomy (group C). Pain levels on day 1 were less than 3 (on a scale of 1-10) in groups A and B. The number of pain days and narcotic-use days was less than 4 days in groups A and B. Similarly, most patients returned to solid diet and normal activity by day 4. Pain levels, number of narcotic-use days, and number of days to return to normal diet and activity were significantly higher for classic tonsillectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Tonsil coblation has distinct advantages when compared with tonsil ablation and standard tonsillectomy. Tonsil coblation resulted in greater than 86% elimination of tonsillar tissue in both children and adults. In most patients, pain levels were minimal and limited to the first 48 hours after surgery. Return to normal diet and activity was much earlier in the coblation group versus classic tonsillectomy.     

Paediatric coblation tonsillectomy.

OBJECTIVE: Tonsillectomy has been described using a number of techniques. Recently Coblation Technology has been used to remove tonsils with anecdotal evidence of a reduction in post-operative morbidity. In this study we aim to see if there is any difference in post-operative pain, tonsillar fossae healing and return to a normal diet performing tonsillectomy, using tissue coblation compared with standard bipolar dissection. METHODS: A double blind randomised control trial to compare the technique of tissue coblation with standard bipolar dissection to remove tonsils in 38 children on the waiting list for tonsillectomy, with a history of chronic tonsillitis or obstructive tonsils. RESULTS: A significant reduction in post-operative pain was found in the children whose tonsils were removed by tissue coblation (P<0.0001). More rapid healing of the tonsillar fossae was found in the coblation group. Children who had their tonsils removed by coblation were found to return to their normal diet far sooner than those who underwent bipolar dissection. There were no episodes of primary or secondary haemorrhage in either group. CONCLUSIONS: This new technique using tissue coblation for tonsil removal offers significant advantages in the post-operative period, with rapid return to a normal diet and a drastic reduction in analgesic requirements following the surgery.     

Lingual tonsillectomy in a child with obstructive sleep apnea: a novel technique

We report on a case of lingual tonsillar hyperplasia contributing to refractory obstructive sleep apnea in a 5-year-old patient. We describe a novel technique utilizing suspension laryngoscopy and a laryngeal angled shaver to remove obstructive lingual tonsillar tissue. We review the available techniques for lingual tonsillectomy and propose theoretical advantages to the novel approach.     

舌扁桃体肥大34例临床分析

本文总结了 1994年至 2 0 0 0年间我科收治的 34例舌扁桃体肥大病例 ,对其临床表现 ,治疗方法等相关问题进行探讨。认为舌扁桃体肥大可以引起咽部异物感 ,咽痛 ,发音改变 ,吞咽不畅 ,呼吸不畅 ,打鼾等一系列症状 ,并且成人急性复发性会厌炎与慢性舌扁桃体肥大有关。 CO2 激光手术切除舌扁桃体可以治愈或明显缓解上述症状     

Radiofrequency treatment for obstructive tonsillar hypertrophy

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of in-office, temperature-controlled radiofrequency submucosal tissue volume reduction using the Somnoplasty procedure for the treatment of symptomatic chronic obstructive tonsillar hypertrophy. DESIGN: A prospective, nonrandomized, 3-phase protocol using in vitro and in vivo studies associated with operative tonsillectomy and clinical procedures performed in-office. SETTING: Hospital operating room and private practice otolaryngology office. STUDY POPULATION: In vitro studies of 14 tonsil specimens following tonsillectomy; in vivo studies of 11 tonsils before tonsillectomy; and clinical procedures performed on 9 adults, ages 24 to 47 years, with symptomatic chronic tonsillar hypertrophy. OUTCOME MEASURES: For phase 1, histologic tissue sections; for phase 2, histologic tissue sections and clinician and patient questionnaires regarding procedure morbidity; and for phase 3, measurements of oropharyngeal airway size and clinician and patient questionnaires regarding procedure morbidity and symptom improvement. RESULTS: A 2-needle radiofrequency probe ablated tonsil stromal tissue while leaving overlying mucosa and underlying structures intact. On average, oropharyngeal airway was enlarged 12 mm, with a 70.8% calculated reduction in tonsil size. Procedures were well tolerated and had only minimal pain and dysphagia. There were no episodes of hemorrhage, and patients resumed normal activity within 1 to 2 days. Substantial improvement was reported in daytime sleepiness, snoring, voice clarity, swallowing, and throat irritation. CONCLUSIONS: Temperature-controlled radiofrequency submucosal tissue volume reduction is a safe and effective method of treating symptomatic obstructive tonsillar hypertrophy. It is well tolerated by the patient under local anesthesia in the physician's office and has minimal postprocedure pain and dysphagia, with rapid return to normal activity. The procedure reduces tonsil size and increases airway size, leading to a reduction in symptoms.     

Bilateral glossopharyngeal nerve paralysis after tonsillectomy: case report and anatomic study

OBJECTIVE: To present a case report and to propose an anatomic explanation for a rare complication of tonsillectomy, severe dysphagia caused by bilateral paralysis of the glossopharyngeal nerve. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case review and prospective cadaveric dissection. METHODS: The medical record and radiologic data were reviewed from a patient who had severe dysphagia after tonsillectomy. In addition, 10 formalin-preserved cadaver head and neck specimens were dissected to identify the anatomic course of 20 glossopharyngeal nerves. The distance between the nerve and tonsillar fossa was measured at two sites. RESULTS: The patient was diagnosed with bilateral paralysis of the glossopharyngeal nerve and required use of gastrotomy tube for years postoperatively. The mean distance from the posterosuperior tonsillar fossa and the main trunk of the glossopharyngeal nerve was 10.7 mm, and the mean distance from the posteroinferior tonsillar fossa and the closest lingual branch of the glossopharyngeal nerve was 6.5 mm. CONCLUSIONS: Direct nerve injury seems the most plausible explanation for this rare complication of tonsillectomy. The proximity of the glossopharyngeal nerve to the tonsillar fossa emphasizes the importance of maintaining the correct surgical plane during surgery.     

舌根良性增生性肿物等离子射频消融术

目的：探讨等离子射频消融术治疗舌根良性增生性肿物的疗效。方法：采用等离子射频消融术治疗包括舌根扁桃体肥大、淋巴管瘤及乳头状瘤等舌根良性增生性肿物患者50例。对术后疼痛、出血及疗效等进行观察,术后随访16～32个月。结果：均一次性完整切除舌根良性增生性肿物。术后均无明显疼痛主诉。术后当天即可进食。术后无发声及呼吸等功能障碍。咽部异物感等主观症状VAS评分从术前的（81．5±9．6）分降至术后的（13．5±3．9）分（P〈0．01）。临床治愈率96％,显效率4％,总有效率100％。均无复发。结论：等离子射频消融术治疗舌根良性增生性肿物是一种安全、有效且微创的治疗方法。     

Lingual tonsillectomy for refractory paroxysmal cough

Historically, the lingual tonsils are the most neglected members of Waldeyer's ring. They are often overlooked even in a thorough head and neck exam because of their anatomic location and the ambiguous constellation of symptoms which they produce when they are diseased or enlarged. The lingual tonsils have been reported to be associated with a variety of upper aerodigestive tract symptoms including odynophagia, dysphagia, otalgia, globus, halitosis, chronic cough, and dyspnea. Many patients with lingual tonsillar pathology may undergo extensive work-up for some of these non-specific upper airway complaints by their primary physician before referral to an otolaryngologist. Consequently, the diagnosis of lingual tonsillar disease requires a high index of suspicion and a thorough physical exam including evaluation of the tongue base and hypophaynx with indirect mirror or fiberoptic exam. In order to draw attention to this frequently unrecognized entity, we present a case report of a child with chronic cough resulting from lingual tonsillar hypertrophy.     

Posttonsillectomy taste distortion: a significant complication

OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESIS: Tonsillectomy is among the most commonly performed procedures. As with any surgery, head and neck surgeons must be aware of possible complications and their potential affects. At our smell and taste center, we have been referred several patients in a 6-month period with the complaint of taste distortion after tonsillectomy. We report in this article a patient that complains of taste distortion after a right tonsillectomy for unilateral tonsillar hypertrophy. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective study documenting taste distortion after tonsillectomy using clinical, subjective, and objective evaluation. METHODS: The clinical course of a patient with taste distortion after a tonsillectomy is described. The gustatory function was investigated by conducting electrogustometry and spatial taste testing. Threshold measurements were determined at three left- and three right-side tongue regions: 1) the tongue tip region (innervated by the chorda tympani branch of the facial nerve), 2) the lateral margin of the tongue (anterior to the foliate papillae), and 3) the posterior tongue region (innervated by the lingual branch of the glossopharyngeal nerve). RESULTS: After a complete clinical evaluation and taste testing, it was found that the patient suffered an injury to the right lingual branch of the glossopharyngeal nerve. The close anatomic relationship between the palatine tonsil and lingual branch of the glossopharyngeal nerve makes the nerve vulnerable during tonsillectomy. This injury has caused the patient to suffer ageusia to the right posterior one third of the tongue, compensated by a contralateral phantogeusia (phantom taste) with clinical dysgeusia. The phantogeusia was abolished by application of anesthetic to the area where the phantom was perceived. We propose that the phantogeusia is the result of release-of-inhibition in the contralateral glossopharyngeal nerve. CONCLUSION: Taste distortion (including, phantogeusia and dysgeusia) after tonsillectomy is rarely reported as a complication but has a significant impact on quality of life. This article examines the taste distortion presence as a complication after tonsillectomy to make head and neck surgeons aware of this serious complication and the pathophysiology of taste distortion.     

Transoral robotic lingual tonsillectomy in adults: preliminary results

Conclusion: Hypertrophy of lingual tonsils can be safely and effectively managed by transoral robotic surgery via a minimally invasive approach. The operating costs can be relatively high although the advantages to patients seem to justify the procedure. Transoral robotic surgery can represent the definitive treatment in hypertrophy of the lingual tonsils. Objective: The purpose of this work was to assess the feasibility, safety, and outcomes of transoral robotic surgery for lingual tonsillar hypertrophy in adults with obstructive sleep apnea. Methods: Retrospective medical records of six patients who underwent tongue base resection using the da Vinci Surgical Robotic System from September, 2012 through December, 2013 in a tertiary care hospital were evaluated. Demographic data, preoperative and postoperative polysomnography and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) scores, robot docking time, operative and postoperative aspects including surgical time, amount of bleeding, and early and late complications were collected and analyzed. Results: All patients successfully underwent lingual tonsillectomy using the da Vinci Surgical system. Transnasal endotracheal entubation was performed in all patients and they were all extubated before leaving the operation room. No tracheotomies were performed perioperatively for airway management. The patients were discharged on the fifth postoperative day. Operative time, estimated blood loss, and postoperative complication profiles were within the expected and acceptable limits for lingual tonsillectomy. There was a statistically significant decrease in apnea hypopnea index (AHI) (mean AHI from 27.5 to 6.3) and ESS scores (from 14.1 to 7.1).     

累及舌根的头颈部恶性肿瘤保留吞咽和喉功能的手术方法

目的 探讨保留累及舌根的头颈部恶性肿瘤吞咽和喉功能的有效手术方法.方法 回顾性分析2003年1月至2008年12月安徽医科大学第一附属医院耳鼻咽喉头颈外科收治的31例累及舌根的头颈部恶性肿瘤患者的临床资料,男27例,女4例.舌根原发恶性肿瘤9例,累及舌根的扁桃体鳞癌3例,声门上型喉癌累及舌根11例,下咽癌累及舌根8例.术中按照舌动脉的临床解剖,最大限度保留一侧舌动脉和正常的舌根部组织,若术前CT提示双侧舌动脉受侵犯,行全舌切除;根据喉功能的保护机制,最大限度保留会厌、室带、声带.结果 术后31例患者均未发现残舌坏死.5例行全喉切除术和1例行全舌根切除术的患者终身带管,其余25例皆在14～90 d拔出气管套管并保留喉功能,并于术后10～31 d经口进食.2例累及舌根的下咽癌术后咽瘘,换药治疗2周后愈合;2例舌根癌和1例扁桃体癌累及舌根术后感染皆在2周左右治愈.中位随访时间36个月,Kaplan-Meier法统计3年和5年生存率分别为79.5%和69.6%.结论 累及舌根的头颈部恶性肿瘤的手术治疗,术中可根据舌动脉的临床解剖和喉功能的保护机制对原发肿瘤和舌根部分切除及修复,是最大限度保留吞咽和喉功能的有效方法.     

Safety of cold ablation (coblation) in the treatment of tonsillar hypertrophy of the tongue base

The treatment of diseases of the lingual tonsils is still under debate, and surgical interventions are often associated with significant morbidity and complications. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the safety of lingual tonsillectomy using cold ablation (coblation) as a new treatment of lingual tonsil diseases. In this retrospective, bicentric study, we included all patients between 2005 and 2012 who underwent cold ablation (Coblation^®) of the lingual tonsils. We assessed the frequency of postoperative complications based on the patients’ charts. A total of 108 patients (47 ± 13, 6 years) underwent lingual tonsillectomy using coblation. All patients were operated on under general anesthesia as inpatients. Intraoperative complications did not occur. Three patients (2.8 %) needed revision surgery due to postoperative hemorrhage, and in one of those cases, three revisions were necessary. There was no postoperative airway compromise and no need for tracheostomy. There was no hypoglossal nerve paralysis, but in the case needing multiple revisions, a weakness of the hypoglossal nerve persisted. In all the cases, oral intake was possible with adequate analgesia. Coblation of the tongue base is a safe procedure with a relatively low rate of postoperative complications. Postoperative hemorrhage is the most relevant complication that occurred in our series of patients. Future studies are needed to evaluate the efficacy of the procedure in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea.     

累及舌根的头颈部恶性肿瘤保留吞咽和喉功能的手术方法

目的 探讨保留累及舌根的头颈部恶性肿瘤吞咽和喉功能的有效手术方法.方法 回顾性分析2003年1月至2008年12月安徽医科大学第一附属医院耳鼻咽喉头颈外科收治的31例累及舌根的头颈部恶性肿瘤患者的临床资料,男27例,女4例.舌根原发恶性肿瘤9例,累及舌根的扁桃体鳞癌3例,声门上型喉癌累及舌根11例,下咽癌累及舌根8例.术中按照舌动脉的临床解剖,最大限度保留一侧舌动脉和正常的舌根部组织,若术前CT提示双侧舌动脉受侵犯,行全舌切除;根据喉功能的保护机制,最大限度保留会厌、室带、声带.结果 术后31例患者均未发现残舌坏死.5例行全喉切除术和1例行全舌根切除术的患者终身带管,其余25例皆在14～90 d拔出气管套管并保留喉功能,并于术后10～31 d经口进食.2例累及舌根的下咽癌术后咽瘘,换药治疗2周后愈合;2例舌根癌和1例扁桃体癌累及舌根术后感染皆在2周左右治愈.中位随访时间36个月,Kaplan-Meier法统计3年和5年生存率分别为79.5%和69.6%.结论 累及舌根的头颈部恶性肿瘤的手术治疗,术中可根据舌动脉的临床解剖和喉功能的保护机制对原发肿瘤和舌根部分切除及修复,是最大限度保留吞咽和喉功能的有效方法.     

累及舌根的头颈部恶性肿瘤保留吞咽和喉功能的手术方法

目的 探讨保留累及舌根的头颈部恶性肿瘤吞咽和喉功能的有效手术方法.方法 回顾性分析2003年1月至2008年12月安徽医科大学第一附属医院耳鼻咽喉头颈外科收治的31例累及舌根的头颈部恶性肿瘤患者的临床资料,男27例,女4例.舌根原发恶性肿瘤9例,累及舌根的扁桃体鳞癌3例,声门上型喉癌累及舌根11例,下咽癌累及舌根8例.术中按照舌动脉的临床解剖,最大限度保留一侧舌动脉和正常的舌根部组织,若术前CT提示双侧舌动脉受侵犯,行全舌切除;根据喉功能的保护机制,最大限度保留会厌、室带、声带.结果 术后31例患者均未发现残舌坏死.5例行全喉切除术和1例行全舌根切除术的患者终身带管,其余25例皆在14～90 d拔出气管套管并保留喉功能,并于术后10～31 d经口进食.2例累及舌根的下咽癌术后咽瘘,换药治疗2周后愈合;2例舌根癌和1例扁桃体癌累及舌根术后感染皆在2周左右治愈.中位随访时间36个月,Kaplan-Meier法统计3年和5年生存率分别为79.5%和69.6%.结论 累及舌根的头颈部恶性肿瘤的手术治疗,术中可根据舌动脉的临床解剖和喉功能的保护机制对原发肿瘤和舌根部分切除及修复,是最大限度保留吞咽和喉功能的有效方法.     

Application of lingual tonsillectomy to sleep apnea syndrome involving lingual tonsils

In sleep apnea syndrome, surgical treatment is applied in obstructive-type cases and some mixed-type cases. If the obstructive part is in the root of the tongue, forward transfer of the tongue, lingual tonsillectomy and laser midline glossectomy are applied. In this study, we demonstrate the surgical technique of lingual tonsillectomy using an ultrasonic coagulating dissector (SonoSurg) with a blade tip shape developed in our department. We conclude that lingual tonsillectomy using SonoSurg, which we have frequently used, should be the first choice of treatment for snoring and sleep apnea caused by hypertrophy of the lingual tonsils from the viewpoints of effectiveness, prevention of hemorrhage, safety and handling.     

Pediatric coblation total tonsillectomy: intracapsular or extracapsular?

Objectives: To compare the results of coblation intracapsular total tonsillectomy (CITT) with those of conventional coblation extracapsular total tonsillectomy (CETT) in the treatment of tonsillar hypertrophy in children with regards to efficacy and complications.

Methods: Ninety children with adenotonsillar hyperplasia underwent tonsillectomy?±?adenoidectomy (48 CITT and 42 CETT). Intraoperative situation was observed and recorded. Patients were reexamined regarding recovery condition and tonsil regrowth, and were followed for at least one year.

Results: Significant differences were observed in four clinical features when the CITT group was compared with the CETT group: intraoperative bleeding score, intraoperative tonsillar fossa score, color of white membrane one day postoperatively, and visual analogue scale (VAS) value one week postoperatively (p?p?p?Conclusions: Compared with conventional extracapsular tonsillectomy, CITT has the advantages of decreased pain and bleeding, and promote healing of wounds. No tonsillar regrowth was observed after at least one year of follow-up.     

Temperature-controlled radiofrequency tonsil reduction in children

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of temperature-controlled radiofrequency tonsil reduction in the treatment of children with a sleep-related breathing disorder associated with tonsillar obstructive hypertrophy. DESIGN: Prospective, nonrandomized, case series feasibility study of children meeting the criteria for tonsillectomy or adenotonsillectomy for the treatment of an obstructive sleep-related breathing disorder. SETTING: Community-based hospital.Patients Ten children, aged 4 to 13 years, presenting consecutively to a community-based otolaryngology practice with tonsillar or adenotonsillar obstructive hypertrophy implicated clinically in causing a sleep-related breathing disorder; their parents consenting to temperature-controlled radiofrequency tonsil reduction instead of surgical tonsillectomy.Intervention Temperature-controlled radiofrequency tonsil reduction, along with surgical adenoidectomy, if adenoids were present, under general anesthesia. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Tonsil size reduction, treatment morbidity, and symptom improvement with follow-up to 1 year. Baseline and 3-month posttreatment polysomnographic data were used. RESULTS: There was a reduction in tonsil size at 1 year of 75.0% on average, without evidence of regrowth during the 1-year follow-up. All children were drinking liquids in the recovery room, and most were eating soft diets within 6 hours; 8 of the 10 children were eating a normal diet by day 5. On average, the return to normal activity was 3.9 days, with 2.9 days of parental loss of work time. Quality-of-life variables all improved. Snore indexes decreased by 88.6%. Polysomnography at 3 months revealed an 84.2% reduction in the apnea index and a 52.3% reduction in the apnea/hypopnea index. There were no complications. CONCLUSION: Temperature-controlled radiofrequency tonsil reduction seems to be a safe, effective, and minimally morbid treatment for tonsil hypertrophy in children with obstructive sleep-related breathing disorders.     

Coblation tonsillectomy versus dissection tonsillectomy: postoperative hemorrhage

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Coblation tonsillectomy is a recently introduced surgical technique. To measure its benefits against traditional tonsillectomy techniques, it is necessary to compare their complication rates. The study aims to identify differences in reactionary and secondary hemorrhage proportions, comparing coblation with dissection tonsillectomy. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective observational cohort study. METHODS: Rates of reactionary and delayed postoperative hemorrhage were measured, comparing 844 coblation tonsillectomies with a control group of 743 tonsillectomies performed by blunt dissection with bipolar diathermy hemostasis. RESULTS: The secondary hemorrhage rate with coblation-assisted tonsillectomy was 2.25% compared with 6.19% in the control group (P <.05). The rate of secondary hemorrhage in children following coblation tonsillectomy was 0.95% compared with 4.77% in the control group (P <.05). The difference was also significant (P <.05) in the adult population (4.40% vs. 8.81%, respectively). No difference was found in the reactionary hemorrhage proportions. CONCLUSION: In the study, coblation tonsillectomy was associated with a lesser incidence of delayed hemorrhage, more significantly in the pediatric population. The new technique using tissue coblation for tonsil dissection offers significant advantages in the postoperative period compared with dissection tonsillectomy with bipolar diathermy hemostasis. Coblation is associated with less postoperative pain and early return to daily activities. Also, there are fewer secondary infections of the tonsil bed and significantly lower rates of secondary hemorrhage with coblation. These results and the disposable nature of the coblation equipment promote coblation tonsillectomy as the authors' preferred dissection method.