Tonsillectomy haemostasis: diathermy or ligation

A retrospective and prospective study has been carried out to assess the morbidity associated with the techniques of diathermy and ligation in controlling tonsillectomy haemorrhage. No difference was found in the incidence of haemorrhage between the two techniques. The use of diathermy cuts the operation time by 26%, and has no increase in morbidity.