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Cold Technique in Adult Tonsillectomy Reduces Waste and Cost
Duncan A Meiklejohn1, Vanina M Chavarri1
1Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, 21764University of New Mexico Hospital, Albuquerque, NM, USA.
Objectives:
To quantify differences in waste and cost of disposable equipment between different tonsillectomy techniques.
Methods:
Prospective study of waste attributable to disposable waste produced by tonsillectomy surgery. Disposable equipment required for tonsillectomy using cold, monopolar electrocautery (ME), and coblation techniques was measured; and differences in mass, volume, and cost of equipment between the 3 techniques were quantified.
Results:
Cold technique was found to produce the least waste and have the lowest cost attributable to disposable surgical equipment. Projected single-case savings in mass and volume of waste resulting from using cold technique compared to ME were 1.272 kg and 1.013 L, respectively, and 1.043 kg and 1.723 L compared to coblation. Projected single-case savings in cost of disposable equipment for cold technique compared to ME were US$9.35 and US$185.05 compared to coblation.
Discussion:
Using cold technique for adult tonsillectomy reduces waste and cost of disposable equipment compared to ME and coblation. Implications for Practice: Surgeons desiring to reduce cost and waste associated with tonsillectomy surgery may consider transitioning to cold technique.
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