Tonsillectomy: a clinical study comparing the effects of local versus general anesthesia

The purpose of tonsillectomy is the complete removal of the palatine tonsils with minimal blood loss while avoiding unnecessary trauma to adjacent tissue. Despite the fact that advances in modern general anesthetic techniques have lessened risks, it has not been clear what specific differences there are when using local versus general anesthesia for tonsillectomy. In order to provide some objective information as to the advantages or disadvantages of performing tonsillectomy using local or general anesthesia, a retrospective analysis was performed on 73 fully evaluable cases of adult tonsillectomy performed in an 8 1/2-year period. Approximately one half of these were performed using local and one half general anesthesia. Analyses of the data indicated statistically significant differences in the methods. With local anesthesia the operation required less time, produced less intraoperative hemorrhage, and was less costly. However, there was no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative complications or morbidity.     

Postoperative bleeding after diathermy and dissection tonsillectomy

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the incidence and pattern of bleeding after tonsillectomy performed by either cold dissection or diathermy. DESIGN: A prospective, nonrandomized cohort study of postoperative hemorrhage after tonsillectomy. METHODS: Monthly reporting of the number of tonsillectomies and postoperative bleeds from otolaryngologists working in rural areas of Victoria, Australia over a 2.5 year period. Criteria for bleeding were either 1) repeat anesthesia and surgery because of hemorrhage (including return to theater from the recovery room), or 2) readmission to hospital because of bleeding, or 3) blood transfusion to replace blood loss. Main outcome measures were the incidence, volume, and time course of postoperative hemorrhage. RESULTS: The number of bilateral tonsillectomies with removal by cold-blunt dissection was 3,087. In this group, there were 57 (1.85%) bleeds. The number of bilateral tonsillectomies with removal by diathermy dissection was 1,557. In this group, there were 37 (2.38%) bleeds. If cold dissection is taken as the "control" and diathermy tonsillectomy as the "treatment" group, the relative risk of bleeding after diathermy tonsillectomy is 1.30 (95% confidence interval 0.88-1.93). The pattern of bleeding after each technique differs significantly over time, with more reactionary bleeds in the dissection group and more bleeds between 4 to 7 postoperative days after diathermy. When bleeding occurred, it was in excess of 500 mL in 16% of dissection cases and 43% of diathermy tonsillectomies. CONCLUSIONS: The difference in the risk of bleeding after each technique did not reach statistical significance, but the temporal pattern of hemorrhage differed, and more bleeds exceeding 500 mL were seen in the diathermy group.     

Effect of modern fibrin glue on bleeding after tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy

We performed a prospective randomized study in 179 patients to examine the second-generation surgical fibrin sealant Quixil as an effective substitute for different types of electrocautery in tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. We compared the rates of hemorrhagic complications in a group with bipolar or needle point electrocautery and in a group in whom fibrin glue was used to stop intraoperative bleeding and to prevent postoperative bleeding. The operations were performed under general anesthesia in typical fashion with sharp dissection. For the control group, hemostasis was achieved by bipolar or needle point electrocautery. For the fibrin glue group, hemostasis was achieved by spraying Quixil fibrin glue approximately 0.5 mL to each tonsillar fossa and 0.5 mL to the nasopharynx (in adenoidectomy). The results were excellent in all the patients of the fibrin glue group, with complete hemostasis and resolution of the major symptoms. In this group, the intraoperative blood loss averaged 15 mL in tonsillectomy and 9 mL in adenoidectomy. There were no cases of postoperative hemorrhage or any other complications. The electrocautery group required a longer time for healing, and its intraoperative blood loss (tonsillectomy) averaged 29 to 33 mL. The incidence of posttonsillectomy bleeding in this group was 4.35% (4 patients). Three patients (3.26%) had primary hemorrhage (bleeding that occurs within the first 24 hours of surgery), and 1 patient (1.09%) had secondary hemorrhage (bleeding that occurs after the first 24 hours). We conclude that Quixil fibrin glue application to the operative sites in tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy provides effective hemostasis and sealing with good systemic and local compatibility. With the help of Quixil, we minimized surgical trauma and achievedabsolute hemostasis at the same time. We found this fibrin glue to be a more convenient and effective hemostatic sealant than bipolar or needle point coagulation.     

抗-HIV阳性患者扁桃体手术探讨

目的探讨抗-HⅣ阳性患者行扁桃体手术的可行性。方法应用放射免疫沉淀试验法检出36 例抗-HⅣ阳性慢性扁桃体炎患者并行扁桃体切除术。6例在全麻下行扁桃体切除术。4例8岁患儿表面 麻醉后行挤切术，其余26例均在局麻下坐位手术。另取30例抗体阴性患者作对照组。术后分别观察并发 症的发生率及治疗对策。结果36例患者均顺利渡过手术。1例因局部伤口感染术后6d发生扁桃体术后继 发性出血，1例继发肺部感染，并发症发生率为5.6％。结论扁桃体切除术亦适用于抗-HⅣ阳性患者。术 后严密观察、及时发现和处理并发症至关重要。     

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.     

Hemorrhage rate after coblation tonsillectomy: a meta-analysis of published trials

After the surgical procedure of tonsillectomy, hemorrhage ranks among its serious postoperative complications. In this systematic review, we analyze hemorrhage following tonsillectomies performed using the coblation technique. 24 prospective, randomized, and controlled studies were included in the meta-analysis. Data of 796 patients who had undergone coblation tonsillectomy were analyzed. Hemorrhages occurred in 33 patients: 2 classified as primary and 26 as secondary hemorrhages. 5 could not be classified into either group. Overall, the total hemorrhage rate for the coblation procedure was 4.1% with a 95% confidence interval from 2.8 to 5.5%. The overall hemorrhage rate of 4.1% found in this meta-analysis shows that coblation is a safe and effective technique for tonsillectomies with a secondary bleeding rate similar to what is reported for comparable techniques such as bipolar diathermia.     

Immediate tonsillectomy for peritonsillar abscess.

OBJECTIVE: Peritonsillar abscess (PTA) is one of the most common infectious diseases of the head and neck region requiring surgical intervention to relieve symptoms such as severe throat pain, fever, dysphagia, and trismus. However, the appropriate management of PTA is still controversial. In Europe and the US, immediate tonsillectomy under general anesthesia has been accepted as the treatment for PTA. But in Japan, immediate tonsillectomy has been regarded as contraindicated for PTA because of difficulties encountered in the operation during the acute stage, as well as possible postoperative complications. METHODS: A total of 103 cases of PTA treated at our clinic during the past 16 years were reviewed; immediate tonsillectomies had been performed in 99 of them. Surgical findings, postoperative course, and bacteriological examination were surveyed. RESULTS: The results showed that immediate tonsillectomy under general anesthesia was carried out safely without complications. Dramatic relief of the symptoms was obtained within a few days following each operation. A high incidence of anaerobes was observed by bacteriological examination, suggesting that sufficient drainage is required to treat this disease. CONCLUSION: We conclude that immediate tonsillectomy should be performed for peritonsillar abscess.     

Risks and benefits of local anesthesia versus general anesthesia in tonsillectomy

Purpose

Tonsillectomy is one of the most common surgical procedures in otorhinolaryngology. Modern general anesthetic techniques have reduced surgical risks, but performing the procedure under local anesthesia may still offer significant benefit for both the patient and surgeon. This study analyzed the risks and benefits of performing tonsillectomies under local anesthesia.

Tonsillectomy: cold dissection versus bipolar electrodissection

OBJECTIVES: to compare the technique and post-operative morbidity of two different tonsillectomy methods: cold dissection and bipolar electrodissection. MATERIAL AND METHODS: prospective study including children (3> age <14) undergoing tonsillectomy in ORL Department of the main hospital in Azores, Portugal, from September 2000 to March 2001. Patients alternately selected to cold dissection tonsillectomy group (CDT) or bipolar electrodissection tonsillectomy group (BET). Duration of surgery; amount of blood loss; duration of hospitalization; aspect of tonsillar fossa on 10th post-operative day and intensity of pain after surgery were recorded and compared. RESULTS: Sixty tonsillectomies were performed. Blood loss and duration of surgery were significantly decreased in BET group (P<0.001), but the healing process, directly assessed by the aspect of tonsillar fossa on the 10th day was markedly delayed. The intensity of pain was slightly higher in the BET group compared with the CDT group, and no difference on duration of hospitalization was found between the two groups. Two post-operative hemorrhages occurred (one in each group), and no major complications were registered. CONCLUSIONS: BET reduces the duration of surgery and amount of blood loss when compared with cold dissection, but post-operative morbidity is increased. We believe the best patient indication for this method are small children where total circulating blood volume is reduced and patients with bleeding disorders.     

Post-tonsillectomy haemorrhage: a retrospective comparison of abscess- and elective tonsillectomy

CONCLUSION: There is no increased risk of postoperative haemorrhage for abscess tonsillectomies in comparison to elective tonsillectomies. OBJECTIVE: There is still controversy as regards the optimal management of peritonsillar abscess. Opponents of tonsillectomy à chaud cite an increased postoperative bleeding risk. Most authors who compared the risks of postoperative haemorrhage after tonsillectomy à chaud and tonsillectomy à froid did not take into consideration criteria such as the age and gender of the patients or the experience of the surgeon. We aimed to eliminate this bias by performing a retrospective study in which a large series of abscess tonsillectomies were compared with an age- and gender-matched group of elective tonsillectomies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: All patients had been operated on at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Duisburg-Essen between March 1994 and August 2000. There were 350 patients in the abscess tonsillectomy group (61% male, 39% female; mean age 31.8 years; range 3-88 years) and 311 in the elective tonsillectomy comparison group (61% male, 39% female; mean age 30.0 years; range 2-83 years). RESULTS: In the abscess tonsillectomy group, 9 patients (2.6%; confidence level 1.1-4.8%) had postoperative haemorrhages which required treatment under general anaesthesia, compared to 17 (5.5%; confidence level 3.2-8.6%) in the age- and gender-matched group of "selected" elective tonsillectomies. The difference between these two rates was not significant (p = 0.056). The fairly high rate of haemorrhages in the elective tonsillectomy group was mainly due to the effect of the age-matching procedure, which excluded a considerable number of usually unproblematic tonsillectomies for tonsillar hyperplasia in young children. Moreover, our results show that there is a learning curve for surgeons performing tonsillectomies with regard to postoperative haemorrhages.     

缝合腭弓对扁桃体术后出血影响的临床研究

目的 客观评价缝合腭弓在减少扁桃体术后出血中的作用.方法 回顾性分析2013年1月至2019年10月行成人扁桃体切除术患者234例,所有患者均在全麻下行低温等离子扁桃体切除术,其中125例患者为预防术后出血行双侧腭弓缝合(观察组),另109例患者未行腭弓缝合(对照组),观察与记录术后出血情况.结果 观察组和对照组原发性...     

Tonsillectomy in children and in adults: changes in practice following the opening of a day-surgery unit with dedicated operating room

ObjectivesTo study the impact of the opening of a day-surgery unit on the practice of tonsillectomy in adults and children in the light of the experience of our department, and to compare complications between day-surgery and conventional admission.Material and methodsA retrospective review was conducted of all tonsillectomies performed since the opening of a dedicated day-surgery room, using the ENT and emergency department data-bases.ResultsBetween October 2013 and December 2014, 179 tonsillectomies were performed (51 in adults, 128 in children), including 108 day-surgeries. Between 2012 and 2014, the number of tonsillectomies increased by 12.7%, with an 18.27% increase in children and stable adult rate. Within 1 year, day-surgery became predominant for children (73.19%) and equaled conventional admission for adults (47.22%). For almost all patients without same-day discharge, the reasons were organizational or due to malorientation (comorbidity, or unsuitable home environment). Day-case tonsillectomy in children showed a 30-day complications rate comparable to those reported in the literature (8.3% postoperative hemorrhage), with a higher rate in adults (35.3%). Onset of complications was at a mean 6 days in adults and 9 days in children; only 2 patients developed complications between 6 and 24 hours postoperatively.ConclusionThe present study showed that opening a day-surgery unit led to changes in practice, with most tonsillectomies now performed on an outpatient basis, without increased complications, and notably immediate complications. Outpatient tonsillectomy thus seems to be a solution of choice compared to conventional admission, in terms of cost saving and of patient comfort, without sacrificing safety. The dedicated operating room facilitates scheduling and thereby increasing turnover by reducing wait time.     

Clinical utility of local over general anesthetic tonsillectomy using the BiZact™ device

PurposeTonsillectomy under general anesthesia may be viewed preferentially to local anesthesia, due to mitigation of potential airway compromise secondary to intraoperative hemorrhage, patient discomfort and anxiety. However, this is offset by risk of increased trauma (via the endotracheal tube and gag), adverse medication reactions and cost. Here we evaluated the case for use of local anesthesia in tonsillectomy using the BiZact? (Medtronic) device by comparing surgical outcomes and cost factors across patients where either local or general anesthesia was employed.Materials and methodsRetrospective cohort study of 59 BiZact? tonsillectomy patients (38 under local anesthetic, and 21 under general anesthetic) from a single surgeon at Tauranga Hospital (public) and Grace Hospital (private) in New Zealand; March 2018 to June 2021.ResultsNeither patient group had any primary postoperative hemorrhage and there was comparable incidence of secondary hemorrhage (one case in each cohort). Local anesthetic tonsillectomy was well tolerated with only 2 patients requiring conversion to general anesthetic secondary to anxiety. Local anesthetic proved to be cost-effective, with a halving of hospital length of stay and significant associated overall cost saving, and did not add significantly to operating or total theatre time. Local anesthetic tonsillectomies where perioperative sedation was not required were associated with additional reductions in recovery and overall hospital stay, and cost.ConclusionsLocal anesthetic BiZact? tonsillectomy is evidently safe and cost-effective.     

Post-tonsillectomy haemorrhage: A retrospective comparison of abscess- and elective tonsillectomy

Conclusion. There is no increased risk of postoperative haemorrhage for abscess tonsillectomies in comparison to elective tonsillectomies. Objective. There is still controversy as regards the optimal management of peritonsillar abscess. Opponents of tonsillectomy à chaud cite an increased postoperative bleeding risk. Most authors who compared the risks of postoperative haemorrhage after tonsillectomy à chaud and tonsillectomy à froid did not take into consideration criteria such as the age and gender of the patients or the experience of the surgeon. We aimed to eliminate this bias by performing a retrospective study in which a large series of abscess tonsillectomies were compared with an age- and gender-matched group of elective tonsillectomies. Material and methods. All patients had been operated on at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Duisburg-Essen between March 1994 and August 2000. There were 350 patients in the abscess tonsillectomy group (61% male, 39% female; mean age 31.8 years; range 3–88 years) and 311 in the elective tonsillectomy comparison group (61% male, 39% female; mean age 30.0 years; range 2–83 years). Results. In the abscess tonsillectomy group, 9 patients (2.6%; confidence level 1.1–4.8%) had postoperative haemorrhages which required treatment under general anaesthesia, compared to 17 (5.5%; confidence level 3.2–8.6%) in the age- and gender-matched group of “selected” elective tonsillectomies. The difference between these two rates was not significant (p=0.056). The fairly high rate of haemorrhages in the elective tonsillectomy group was mainly due to the effect of the age-matching procedure, which excluded a considerable number of usually unproblematic tonsillectomies for tonsillar hyperplasia in young children. Moreover, our results show that there is a learning curve for surgeons performing tonsillectomies with regard to postoperative haemorrhages.     

Coblation versus unipolar electrocautery tonsillectomy: a prospective, randomized, single-blind study in adult patients

OBJECTIVES: To determine if the coblation tonsillectomy (subcapsular dissection) results in less postoperative pain, equivalent intraoperative blood loss, equivalent postoperative hemorrhage rates, and faster healing compared with tonsillectomy was performed using unipolar electrocautery in adult patients. STUDY DESIGN: The authors conducted a prospective clinical trial. METHODS: Forty-eight patients underwent tonsillectomy and were randomly assigned to have one tonsil removed with coblation and the other with unipolar electrocautery. Outcome measures included time to remove each tonsil, intraoperative blood loss, patient-reported pain, postoperative hemorrhage, and amount of healing 2 weeks after surgery. RESULTS: Mean time to remove a single tonsil with coblation and electrocautery was 8.22 minutes and 6.33 minutes, respectively (P = .011). Mean intraoperative blood loss for each technique was less than 10 mL. Postoperative pain was significantly less with coblation as compared with electrocautery: 18.6% less painful during the first week of recovery. Seventy percent of blinded patients identified the coblation side as less painful during the overall 14-day convalescent period. Postoperative hemorrhage rates (2.1% for coblation and 6.2% for electrocautery) were not significantly different. No difference in tonsillar fossa healing was observed between the two techniques 2 weeks after surgery. During nine of the 48 surgeries, wires on the tip of the coblation handpiece experienced thinning to the point of discontinuity while removing a single tonsil. CONCLUSIONS: Coblation subcapsular tonsillectomy was less painful than electrocautery tonsillectomy in this 48-patient group. On average, intraoperative blood loss was less than 10 mL for both techniques. Postoperative hemorrhage rates and the degree of tonsillar fossa healing were similar between the two techniques. The coblation handpiece experienced degradation of vital wires in 18% of cases necessitating the use of a second, new handpiece.     

Significantly reducing post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage requiring surgery by double-layer suture: A retrospective analysis

BackgroundAlthough tonsillectomies carry a low-risk for adverse events, postoperative hemorrhage has been reported as the most common complication.AimTo compare the rates of postoperative secondary hemorrhage for tonsillectomy with or without double-layer suture.Material and methodsThis is a retrospective study of 5087 patients who underwent coblation tonsillectomy with or without suture from 2006 to 2016. All cases had been followed up 3 weeks and severe secondary hemorrhage cases requiring operation were analyzed.ResultsThe severe secondary hemorrhage rate was statistically higher in group without suture (1.96%) as compared with the group with suture (1.08%). The surgery time (36.55 ± 7.45) was longer in patients with suture as compared to patients without suture (31.50 ± 6.23). In the age between 18 and 49 years group, the higher secondary hemorrhage rate (2.44%) was found in patients without suture. The rate of postoperative hemorrhage (0.96%) was significantly higher in patients without suture as compared with patients with suture (0.36%) on postoperative 5th day.ConclusionsThe risk of severe secondary hemorrhage is reduced in coblation tonsillectomy with suture. The rate of secondary hemorrhage is lower in patients with suture in 18 to 49 years old group and on the 5th day after surgery.     

Coblation vs. Electrocautery Tonsillectomy: A Prospective Randomized Study Comparing Clinical Outcomes in Adolescents and Adults

Objectives

Coblation is operated in low temperature, so it is proposed that tonsillectomy with coblation involves less postoperative pain and allows accelerated healing of the tonsillar fossae compared with other methods involving heat driven processes. However, the results of the previous studies showed that the effect of coblation tonsillectomy has been equivocal in terms of postoperative pain and hemorrhage. Though, most of the previous studies which evaluated coblation tonsillectomy were performed in children. Recently, electrocautery tonsillectomy has been used most widely because of the reduced intraoperative blood loss and shorter operative time compared to other techniques. This prospective study compared intraoperative records and postoperative clinical outcomes in adolescents and adults following coblation and electrocautery tonsillectomies.

Methods

Eighty patients over 16 years of age with histories of recurrent tonsillitis were enrolled. The patients were randomly allocated into coblation (n=40) and electrocautery tonsillectomy groups (n=40). All operations were performed by one surgeon who was skilled in both surgical techniques. Intraoperative parameters and postoperative outcomes were checked.

Results

Postoperative pain and otalgia were not significantly different between the two groups; however, there was a tendency towards reduced pain and otalgia in the coblation group. More cotton balls for swabbing the operative field were used introoperatively in the electrocautery group (P=0.00). There was no significant difference in postoperative hemorrhage, wound healing, commencement of a regular diet, and foreign body sensation between the groups.

Conclusion

Only cotton use, which represented the amount of blood loss, was less in the coblation tonsillectomy group. Coblation tonsillectomy warrants further study with respect to the decreased postoperative pain and otalgia.     

Nachblutungsrate nach Coblation-Tonsillektomie

Background

With over 100,000 cases annually, tonsillectomy is one of the most frequently performed ENT surgical procedures in Germany. Hemorrhage ranks among its serious postoperative complications. In this systematic review, we analyze hemorrhage following tonsillectomies performed using coblation technique.

Methods

Of the 135 studies identified, 38 could be included in the analysis, most being prospective randomized controlled studies. Data from 6290 patients were gathered.

Results

Of all tonsillectomies performed, hemorrhages occurred in 355 patients. Of these, 256 cases could be classified as 41 primary and 215 secondary hemorrhages. Overall, the total hemorrhage rate for the coblation procedure was 4.9% (95%-CI: 0.044–0.054) for the fixed effects model.

Conclusion

Significantly higher rates of postoperative hemorrhage were found in a few studies, yet they were well above the 95% confidence interval of 4.4–5.4% of the literature. These studies could possibly be interpreted in terms of an autodidactic learning process. As with any surgical technique, proper training is essential.     

Is outpatient suction cautery tonsillectomy safe in a community hospital setting?

Tonsillectomy and adenotonsillectomy are frequently performed operations. They are typically done as a day-of-surgery admission with discharge on the first postoperative day. Five hundred consecutive tonsillectomies and adenotonsillectomies performed by the authors were retrospectively reviewed to determine if these procedures could safely be performed on an outpatient basis. Primary postoperative hemorrhage was found to be rare using the suction cautery technique. Secondary hemorrhage occurred most commonly on the sixth postoperative day and the overall postoperative bleed rate was 7%. Our conclusion was that suction cautery tonsillectomy and adenotonsillectomy were safe to perform on an outpatient basis.     

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.