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Post-tonsillectomy pain after using bipolar diathermy scissors or the harmonic scalpel: a randomised blinded study
Linn Arbin1, Mats Enlund2, Johan Knutsson3
1Dept of Otorhinolaryngology, Västerås Central Hospital, 721 89, Västerås, Sweden.
Summary
This study found no significant difference in postoperative pain or pain medication use between tonsillectomy using bipolar diathermy scissors and harmonic scalpel techniques. Both methods offer comparable pain management after tonsillectomy.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Surgical Technology
Background:
- Tonsillectomy is a common surgical procedure.
- Different surgical techniques aim to minimize postoperative pain and complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare postoperative pain following tonsillectomy performed with bipolar diathermy scissors versus harmonic scalpel.
- To evaluate pain medication consumption in patients undergoing tonsillectomy with these two techniques.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 60 patients aged 7-40 years undergoing tonsillectomy.
- Patients were assigned to either bipolar diathermy scissors or harmonic scalpel technique.
- Postoperative pain scores (VAS) and pain medication intake were recorded by blinded patients.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant differences were observed in postoperative pain levels between the bipolar diathermy scissors and harmonic scalpel groups.
- Pain medication consumption did not differ significantly between the two surgical technique groups.
Conclusions:
- The harmonic scalpel does not provide superior postoperative pain relief compared to bipolar diathermy scissors in tonsillectomy.
- Both surgical techniques appear to offer similar outcomes regarding pain and analgesia requirements after tonsillectomy.
