The effects of an antistick phospholipid solution on pediatric electrocautery adenoidectomy

We conducted a study to determine if coating a suction cautery tip with an antistick phospholipid solution would decrease the amount of time required to complete primary pediatric adenoidectomies. The aim of the study was focused on two main criteria: the amount of surgical time required to complete each procedure and the number of times an operation had to be interrupted because the suction cautery tip needed to be cleaned (each interruption was called a "handback"). We obtained data prospectively during 61 pediatric adenoidectomies performed at our institution from February through June 2009. These patients were randomized to undergo surgery either with (n = 31) or without (n = 30) the use of the antistick phospholipid solution (Electro Lube; Mectra Labs; Bloomfield, Ind.). The overall mean amount of time needed to complete an adenoidectomy was 6 minutes and 39 seconds (6:39); use of the antistick solution shortened the amount of surgical time by 1:45-a decrease of 23.2% (p = 0.0360). Likewise, surgeries performed with Electro Lube required an average of 3.0 fewer handbacks for cleaning during the operation (p < 0.0001). The benefits of the antistick solution were even more pronounced in patients with larger adenoids than in those with smaller adenoids.