[A comparison between adults and children tonsillectomy with monopolar electrocautery]

Tonsillectomy is one of the most frequently applied operations in the ENT practice. This prospective study compared intraoperative records and postoperative clinical outcomes between adults and children patients following monopolar electrocautery tonsillectomy.

Forty adult patients and Forty children patients with histories of recurrent tonsillitis or hypertrophic tonsillitis were enrolled. Intraoperative parameters and postoperative outcomes were compared.

Children tonsillectomy with monopolar electrocautery was significantly faster to perform (P < 0.05), and produced significantly less intraoperative blood loss (P < 0.05), and faster to return to commencement of a regular diet (P < 0.05) than adults. Children tonsillectomy endured less postopera- tive pain within a week (P > 0.05) than adults, but there was no significant difference in pain on the 14th postoperative day in two groups. There was no obvious postoperative hemorrhage in two groups. There was no significant difference in postoperative tonsillar fossa healing and postoperative temperature between the groups.

Children and adults tonsillectomy with monopolar electrocautery had clinical characteristics respectively. Monopolar electrocautery tonsillectomy was safe and operated easily in both two groups.