Near-Field LED Illumination Strategies for Tonsillectomy and Adenoid Surgery

Objective: Perform a pilot feasibility study to demonstrate viability, quality, and safety advantages of light-emitting diode (LED) illumination when performing tonsillectomy. Study Design: Prospective cohort. Setting: Children's Hospital and Community Multispecialty Hospital. Methods: We tested a commercially available LED light, held in position with a minimally modified mouth gag, for off-label use in a "cavernous wound." We assessed surgeons', residents', and nurses' perceptions of function, safety, as well as preferences compared to headlights. Results: The light was used in 30 cases. Noted advantages over traditional lighting methods included superior brightness, stability and consistency of illumination, and the ability for others to assist more quickly. The inability to adjust brightness and/or the angle of light was an observed disadvantage. A small oral cavity or large tonsillar pillars creating a shadow required the temporary addition of a headlight. However, LED light use was not discontinued. Surgeons and residents reported a preference for not wearing a headlight, and nurses expressed concerns about headlight cleanliness. Conclusion: LED lighting technology demonstrated utility for teaching surgeons, residents, and nurses, and was perceived as safe. Additional specifications may make the light applicable to a wider variety of cases and could potentially mitigate headlight use during procedures of the oral cavity and oropharynx. Level of Evidence: 4.