Impact of coblation versus electrocautery on acute post-operative outcomes in pediatric tonsillectomy

Based on previous studies in the pediatric population, it remains unclear whether there is a difference in postoperative pain between two widely used tonsillectomy techniques: coblation and bovie electrocautery. This large prospective study investigates whether postoperative pain scores differ between these two surgical techniques for tonsillectomy.

Prospective, non-randomized study of children aged 2-8 enrolled in a randomized controlled trial of single-dose intravenous acetaminophen for pain associated with adenotonsillectomy. Included procedures occurred between October 2012 and June 2015 at a tertiary referral center. Only patients whose operations exclusively used coblation or electrocautery and who required postoperative admission for extended observation were included. Follow-up period was the length of inpatient stay. Patients and nurses who recorded the pain scores were blinded to the tonsillectomy technique.

A total of 183 patients were included: 117 coblation cases and 66 electrocautery cases. Pain scores in the surgical recovery unit and pain scores after admission to the floor unit were not significantly different between coblation and electrocautery, either before or after adjustment for patient age, body mass index, intravenous acetaminophen use, and surgeon. There was also no difference in length of stay, readmission rate, or post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage.

Coblation and electrocautery tonsillectomy are associated with similar post-operative pain scores in the recovery and inpatient units in the pediatric population. As coblation is costlier, the results of this study may affect which tool is used by otolaryngologists from a cost-benefit perspective.

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