Randomized study comparing postoperative pain between coblation and bipolar scissor tonsillectomy

Coblation tonsillectomy has shown promising results with respect to postoperative pain when compared with other techniques. Our study was designed to compare this technique with bipolar scissor tonsillectomy. Forty adult patients with a history of chronic or recurrent tonsillitis referred for standard tonsillectomy were recruited and randomized into two groups. Twenty were operated with Coblator and 20 with bipolar scissors. Exclusion criteria were a history of quinsy, bleeding disorder, or any major health problems. All participants completed the study. Postoperative pain, return to normal diet, and estimated need for sick leave were utilized as parameters. Data on operative time, difficulty of tissue removal, and hemostasis were also analyzed. Operative time was longer (P < 0.001) and tissue removal as well as hemostasis control were more difficult (P = 0.005, P = 0.013) with Coblator than with bipolar scissors. Participants in Coblator group assessed higher pain scores 1 and 3 h postoperatively (P = 0.044, P = 0.036). From the time of extubation, patients had access to an opioid (fentanyl) via a self-controlled analgesia device. The number of doses of analgesics needed during the hospital stay was significantly higher in the Coblator group (P = 0.020). During the 14-day follow-up, no significant differences were found in pain scores, return to solid food or subjective working ability between the groups. Considering the overall outcome of the patients the results did not favor coblation technique over bipolar scissors.     

Bipolar cautery tonsillectomy using different energy doses: Pain and bleeding

Objective

Tonsillectomies are the most frequently applied operations in the ENT practice. Even though different surgical tonsillectomy techniques have been used, bipolar cautery is the most frequently used one. Our aim was to compare postoperative bleeding rates, pain scores and recovery times in tonsillectomies performed by using bipolar cautery in Joules (1 Watt·sec or W s) calculated by multiplying Watts by the duration of cauterization.

Methods

Adenotonsillectomy and tonsillectomy patients, admitted to the Department of otorhinolaryngology of Izmir Ataturk Training and Research Hospital and Mardin State Hospital, between January 2007 and December 2012 constituted the study group prospectively. The patients divided into 4 groups due to the energy they exposed.

Results

Patients in Group 1 recovered most rapidly (mean recovery time, 13.9 ± 1.8 days). Statistically significant results were obtained between Groups 1 and 4 and also Groups 2 and 4 when recovery times of the patient groups were evaluated with Bonferroni correction test.

Conclusion

As a result, for hemostatic control, electrocauterization should be used at lower doses and short-term as possible so as to decrease frequency of bleeding episodes, alleviate postoperative pain and accelerate wound healing.     

双极电凝镊在扁桃体摘除术中的应用

目的：通过比较采用双极电凝镊与传统的剥离法实施扁桃体摘除的手术效果,探讨双极电凝镊在扁桃体摘除术中的应用效果。方法：选取行扁桃体手术摘除的患者100例,前瞻性地分为两组,比较手术时间、术中出血量及术后患者并发症、疼痛程度及恢复时间。结果：用双极电凝镊行扁桃体摘除与普通法扁桃体摘除相比,手术时间短,术中出血少,术后并发症发生率低,患者痛苦轻。结论：采用双极电凝镊扁桃体摘除手术效果明显优于普通剥离法扁桃体摘除,两方法术后恢复时间无统计学差别。     

A prospective study on pros and cons of electrodissection tonsillectomy

OBJECTIVE: Hemorrhages are main complications after tonsillectomy, whatever technique is used. This prospective study aimed at revealing pros and cons associated with monopolar electrodissection tonsillectomy. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective study. METHODS: A prospective study on all patients undergoing tonsillectomy or adenotonsillectomy in Central Hospital of Central Finland in 1997. Operation time and bleeding, as well as perioperative and postoperative complications, were recorded. RESULTS: Inpatient tonsillectomy was performed in 440 patients (mean age, 17.9 y). Primary post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage (within 24 h) occurred in 2.3%. A total of 15.9% of patients searched for medical help because of secondary post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage, 7.7% receiving active treatment and 8.2% not. Post-tonsillectomy hemorrhages proved to be most common in older patients and when peritonsillar abscess was in patient history. CONCLUSIONS: Monopolar electrodissection tonsillectomy was fast and resulted in little intraoperative bleeding. However, postoperative hemorrhages were common, and the mean use of analgesics was for more than 10 days. Preoperative counseling must be thorough and realistic. Our results indicate that better methods for tonsillectomy still need to be developed.     

部分或整体扁桃体等离子射频切除术治疗儿童阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征疗效对比

目的 探讨利用等离子射频技术切除部分或全部扁桃体,以治疗儿童阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征(OSAHS)的可行性及疗效观察。方法 将参与对比的儿童OSAHS患者239例分为两组。A组183例,行等离子射频扁桃体切除术和腺样体切除术;B组56例,行等离子射频扁桃体部分切除术和腺样体切除术。分别对比两组手术时间、术后3d内每天的疼痛度、恢复正常进食的时间。结果 B组在手术时间、术后疼痛度、恢复正常进食时间均低于A组(U=2.685, 582.00, 84.00, 2519.00, 306.00, P<0.05)。随访6～12个月,两组患者睡眠打鼾、张口呼吸均消失。结论 利用等离子射频方法,部分扁桃体切除术比全部扁桃体切除治疗儿童OSAHS疗效较好。     

双极电凝在全身麻醉下扁桃体摘除术中的应用

目的 探讨双极电凝在全身麻醉下扁桃体摘除术中的应用效果。方法 全身麻醉下采用双极电凝、单极电刀与传统剥离法实施扁桃体摘除,三种术式共实施扁桃体摘除65例。比较各术式对应的手术时间、术中出血量及术后并发症、疼痛程度及恢复时间。结果 用双极电凝镊行扁桃体摘除在包埋型扁桃体、扁桃体周围明显粘连患者中与单极电刀及传统的剥离法扁桃体摘除相比,术时短,术中出血少,术后并发症发生率低。结论 全身麻醉下,采用双极电凝扁桃体摘除手术尤其适用于包埋型扁桃体以及扁桃体周围明显粘连的患者。     

Dipyrone as pre-emptive measure in postoperative analgesia after tonsillectomy in children: a systematic review

IntroductionTonsillectomy is the 2nd most common outpatient surgery performed on children in the United States of America. Its main complication is pain, which varies in intensity from moderate to severe. Dipyrone is one of the most widely used painkillers in the postoperative period in children. Its use, however, is controversial in the literature, to the point that it is banned in many countries due to its potential severe adverse effects. Because of this controversy, reviewing the analgesic use of dipyrone in the postoperative period of tonsillectomy in children is essential.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to review the analgesic use of dipyrone in the postoperative period of tonsillectomy in children.MethodsSystematic review of the literature, involving an evaluation of the quality of articles in the databases MEDLINE/Pubmed, EMBASE and Virtual Health Library, selected with a preestablished search strategy. Only studies with a randomised clinical trial design evaluating the use of dipyrone in the postoperative period of tonsillectomy in children were included.Results and conclusionOnly 2 randomised clinical trials were found. Both compared dipyrone, paracetamol, and placebo. We were unable to carry out a metanalysis because the studies were too heterogenous (dipyrone was used as pre-emptive analgesic in one and only postoperatively in another). The analgesic effect of dipyrone, measured by validated pain scales in childhood, was shown to be superior to placebo and similar to paracetamol. It appears that dipyrone exhibits a profile suitable for use in children. However, the scarcity of randomised clinical trials evaluating its analgesic effect in this age group leads to the conclusion that more well-designed studies are still needed to establish the role of dipyrone in the postoperative period of tonsillectomy in children.     

低温等离子辅助下儿童扁桃体全切除与部分切除的比较

目的 探讨应用低温等离子辅助下治疗儿童阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征(OSAHS)时扁桃体全切除与部分切除的疗效比较.方法 回顾性分析应用等离子技术手术治疗的4311例儿童OSAHS患者病历资料.根据术式分为两组:A组358例,行低温等离子辅助下扁桃体全切除和腺样体切除术;B组3953例,行低温等离子辅助下扁桃体切部分...     

Ligation vs. bipolar diathermy for haemostasis in tonsillectomy—a comparative study

The use of diathermy for haemostasis in Tonsillectomy remains controversial. A thorough scan of English literature comparing the ligation with diathermy has been presented. The reasoning of using Bipolar instead of Unipolar is explained. A prospective randomized study of 376 tonsillectomy is being presented. This is the first study in India where Bipolar instead of Unipolar diathermy is being used. No significant difference was found in P.O. Hg. rates when either diathermy or ligatures were used. Diathermy is significantly faster method of securing haemostasis resulting in shorter operative a & anesthetic time, thus saving on cost. Long term follow-up has shown better results with diathermy & is associated with less pharyngitis, hyper-trophied nodes & resulis in more smooth tonsillar fossae.     

Single dose of intraoperative intravenous morphine for analgesia in children undergoing tonsillectomy: Randomized,double-blind clinical trial

IntroductionChildren undergoing tonsillectomy have severe pain in the postoperative period. One of the pharmacological options for analgesia is opioids, such as morphine. However, the risks of adverse effects, such as increased recovery time from anesthesia and respiratory depression, can limit its use.ObjectivesTo evaluate the use of intraoperative intravenous morphine to reduce immediate postoperative pain in children undergoing tonsillectomy.MethodsIn this double-blind randomized study, children aged 3–10 years were submitted to tonsillectomy, with or without adenoidectomy, and divided into two groups. Children in group M received 0.1 mg/kg of intravenous morphine during anesthetic induction, while those in the control group received conventional anesthesia without morphine. Postoperative pain perceptions were assessed at 30, 60, 120, 180 and 240 min after recovery from anesthesia, by the children themselves and also by their parents or guardians, using a facial pain scale.ResultsA total of 57 children were included, 30 in the group with morphine and 27 in the group without morphine. According to the children themselves, the postoperative pain was less at the evaluations performed at 30 min after awakening from anesthesia (p = 0.023), while according to their parents/guardians, the pain was less intense in the evaluations performed at 30 (p = 0.002), 60 (p = 0.006) and 180 min (p = 0.007) after awakening. Moreover, postoperative analgesics were less requested by children in the morphine group. No observed side effects were associated with the use of morphine.ConclusionA single dose of intravenous morphine during anesthetic induction reduced the intensity of immediate postoperative pain in children undergoing tonsillectomy, without increasing the time of awakening from anesthesia and with lower consumption of rescue analgesics.     

腺样体扁桃体切除术对儿童睡眠结构和生活质量的影响

目的对阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征（OSAHS）患儿行腺样体扁桃体切除术,并评价手术前后睡眠呼吸参数及生活质量的改善情况。方法对57例OSAHS患儿术前1～2周及术后6～9个月行多导睡眠监测（PSG）和生活质量调查（OSA-18）,分析手术治疗前后患儿PSG参数和OSA-18评分的变化。结果术前呼吸暂停低通气指数（AHI）或阻塞性呼吸暂停指数（OAI）平均值为17．7,术后降至6．5;术前最低血氧饱和度（LSaO2）平均值为82．1,术后升至88．3;术前OSA-18总分为86．9,术后降至45．3,各组术前术后比较均有统计学意义（P〈0．01）。结论腺样体扁桃体切除术能明显改善OSAHS患儿的睡眠呼吸参数和生活质量。     

扁桃体加腺样体切除术对阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征患儿睡眠结构的影响

目的探讨扁桃体加腺样体切除术对阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征（OSAHS）患儿睡眠结构的影响。方法选取45例OSAHS患儿行扁桃体加腺样体切除术,比较术前和术后3个月睡眠结构参数,包括睡眠效率（SE）、S1期比例、S2期比例、SWS期比例、REM期比例、觉醒指数（AI）、觉醒时间比例（AT%）、SaO2低于90%的持续时间占睡眠时间的百分比（SLT90%）、最低血氧饱和度（LSaO2）和氧减饱和度指数（ODI4）,并与正常儿童对照组比较,观察患儿各项指标的变化。结果 OSAHS患儿SE、SWS期、REM期和LSaO2比对照组均降低（P〈0.05）,S 1期、O D I 4和S LT 9 0%比对照组升高（P〈0.0 1）,AI和AT%比对照组升高（P〈0.05）。OSAHS患儿术后3个月SE、SWS期、REM期和LSaO2比术前均升高（P〈0.05）,S1期、AI、AT%、ODI4和SLT90%比术前降低（P〈0.05）。结论 OSAHS患儿存在睡眠结构紊乱,扁桃体加腺样体切除术能有效改善睡眠结构紊乱。     

Comparing the effectiveness of “plasma knife” tonsillectomy with two well-established tonsillectomy techniques: Cold dissection and bipolar electrocautery. A Prospective randomized Study

Objective

To evaluate the effectiveness of a new device “plasma knife” for tonsillectomy by comparing to two well-established tonsillectomy techniques: cold dissection, and bipolar electrocautery.

Methods

A prospective, randomized study conducted on 110 patients undergoing tonsillectomy. Subjects were randomized to plasma knife (PKT), cold dissection (CDT) and bipolar electrocautery (BET) groups. Operative time, intraoperative blood loss and postoperative complications were recorded. Pain/discomfort level of patients and healing time of the tonsillar fossae were assessed postoperatively. Data were recorded and statistically analyzed.

Results

Operative time with plasma knife and bipolar electrocautery were associated with a significant decrease in operative time compared to cold dissection (p < 0.05). Intraoperative blood loss was significantly decreased with plasma knife, compared to cold dissection and bipolar electrocautery (p < 0.05). Less postoperative pain was observed with plasma knife compared to bipolar electrocautery but more postoperative pain was observed with both compared to CDT (p < 0.05). Postoperative healing time was longer with plasma knife and bipolar electrocautery, compared to cold dissection (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Plasma knife is a useful and safe device in tonsillectomy. Its use reduces intraoperative blood loss and provides a fast tonsillectomy with acceptable morbidity.     

Incidence of unexpected malignancies in routine tonsillectomy specimens in children

OBJECTIVES: Controversy continues to exist regarding the necessity to routinely send for histologic examination those specimens obtained after tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy in children. Otolaryngologists fear missing an unsuspected diagnosis, such as a tonsil malignancy. However, given the rare incidence of this event, the cost-effectiveness ratio of routine microscopic analysis is questionable. The purpose of this study was to assess the incidence of clinically relevant unexpected diagnosis among children who underwent tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy in our units and to review current available series on this topic. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study and review. METHODS: All patients aged less than 16 years who underwent routine tonsillectomy (with or without adenoidectomy) at San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy from January 1994 to June 2002 were reviewed. Histologic examination is routinely performed in our units. Patients were excluded if the primary indication for surgery was to rule out a tonsil malignancy. RESULTS: One thousand one hundred twenty-three (1,123) patients were recruited. Two cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma were detected, corresponding to a rate of 0.18% (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.07-0.56). Three previously published series were identified. The reported incidences of unexpected clinically relevant diagnoses varied between 0.0% and 0.05%. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study highlight that the incidence of unexpected clinically relevant diseases of the tonsil in pediatric patients is low, albeit not extremely rare. This finding could be used to perform a cost-effectiveness analysis.     

Confronting the challenges of effective pain management in children following tonsillectomy

Tonsillectomy is an extremely common surgical procedure associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The post-operative challenges include: respiratory complications, post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage, nausea, vomiting and significant pain. The present model of care demands that most of these children are managed in an ambulatory setting. The recent Federal Drug Agency (FDA) warning contraindicating the use of codeine after tonsillectomy in children represents a significant change of practice for many pediatric otolaryngological surgeons. This introduces a number of other safety concerns when deciding on a safe alternative to codeine, especially since most tonsillectomy patients are managed by lay primary caregiver's at home. This review outlines the safety issues and proposes, based on currently available evidence, a preventative multi-modal strategy to manage pain, nausea and vomiting without increasing the risk of post-tonsillectomy bleeding.     

儿童睡眠呼吸暂停扁桃体与腺样体切除前后血气分析

目的探讨扁桃体、腺样体切除对儿童睡眠呼吸暂停的影响。方法对1998年10月-2003年12月施行的229例慢性扁桃体和／或腺样体切除术患儿术前术后血气分析的指标加以对照并进行分析。结果血气分析指标血氧分压、二氧化碳分压及pH值显示,34例有睡眠呼吸暂停病史者血气分析参数变化显著,195例没有睡眠呼吸暂停病史者血气分析参数变化不明显。结论扁桃体和／或腺样体的异常肥大是导致儿童睡眠呼吸暂停的主要原因,通过手术切除扁桃体及腺样体可以获得满意的疗效。     

儿童扁桃体、腺样体低温等离子切除术后出血的临床研究

目的 探讨应用低温等离子手术或者传统手术方式行儿童扁桃体、腺样体切除术在术后出血方面存在的差异。方法 回顾性分析1597例接受手术治疗的儿童慢性扁桃体炎、腺样体肥大的患者资料,行等离子射频辅助的扁桃体和(或)腺样体切除术者793例(等离子组),行传统扁桃体切除和(或)腺样体者804例(传统组)。比较两组原发性及继发性出血的发生率、出血程度和出血部位的差异。结果 等离子组发生术后出血25例(3.2％),传统组出血19例(2.4％),两组间差异无统计学意义(χ2=3．34,P>0．05);其中等离子组原发性出血9例(1.1％),继发性出血16例(2.0％);传统组原发性出血11例(1.4％),继发性出血8例(1．0％),两者比较差异有统计学意义(χ2=9．45,P<0．01)。两组术后的出血部位经卡方检验,出血程度经Wilcoxon秩和检验,P值均>0．05,差异均无统计学意义。结论 低温等离子辅助行儿童扁桃体、腺样体切除术,在术后出血的发生率、程度、部位三个方面相对于传统的手术方法治疗,二者差异无统计学意义。     

Acupuncture instead of codeine for tonsillectomy pain in children

Objectives

Severe throat pain can result from tonsillectomy and last up to 10 days in children. Codeine elixir has long been used for pain relief, but has recently been banned by the Food and Drug Administration due to a recently recognized risk of death. We explored acupuncture as an alternative means of pain relief for children and adolescents after tonsillectomy.

Methods

This was a retrospective review of children and adolescents who underwent tonsillectomy over a three-month period. No narcotics were prescribed after surgery. Patients who wanted help with pain relief were offered acupuncture. Perceived pain level was assessed before and after the acupuncture treatment. Following the 10-day recovery for tonsillectomy, patients or their parents were queried as to how long the pain relief from acupuncture intervention was perceived to last.

Results

56 children and adolescents underwent tonsillectomy in the three-month window selected for the retrospective review. 31 of these patients (ranging from 2 to 17 years in age) received an acupuncture intervention for postoperative pain. The mean reported pain level before acupuncture was 5.52 (SD = 2.28) out of 10. This fell to 1.92 (SD = 2.43) after acupuncture. Statistical analysis supported the general conclusion that pain reports decline after acupuncture in the sampled population. However, the limitations of the methodology and the sample suggest that this generalization should be treated as preliminary. 17 patients or their parents provided a post-recovery report for how long they believed the acupuncture intervention lasted. The mean duration of perceived acupuncture benefit was 61.24 h, though the standard deviation was large (64.58 h) with about 30% of patients reporting less than three hours of benefit and about 30% reporting more than 60 h. No adverse effects were observed as a result of acupuncture treatments.

Conclusions

The data tentatively suggest that acupuncture decreases perceived pain in children and adolescents after tonsillectomy. These data – combined with the cost effectiveness, safety and ease of administering acupuncture – suggest that further studies exploring the effectiveness of acupuncture in juveniles after tonsillectomy are merited.