Comparison Between Bipolar Diathermy and Coblation Assisted Tonsillectomy in Pediatric Population: A Randomized...

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Pediatric Surgery
• Minimally Invasive Procedures

Background:

• Tonsillectomy is a common pediatric surgical procedure for conditions like recurrent tonsillitis and sleep apnea.
• Bipolar diathermy and coblation are leading surgical techniques, each with distinct postoperative profiles.
• Bipolar diathermy excels in hemorrhage control but may increase pain due to thermal damage; coblation offers less heat, reduced pain, and faster healing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare bipolar diathermy and coblation tonsillectomy in pediatric patients.
• To evaluate and contrast postoperative outcomes, focusing on pain, healing, and safety.
• To determine the optimal surgical technique for pediatric tonsillectomy based on patient recovery.

Main Methods:

• A prospective, randomized experimental study involving 120 pediatric patients (ages 5-14) with tonsillitis or obstructive symptoms.
• Extracapsular tonsillectomy performed under general anesthesia using standardized protocols for both techniques.
• Postoperative pain, hemorrhage, and healing were assessed at 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks.

Main Results:

• Coblation (Group A) showed significantly lower mean pain scores than bipolar diathermy (Group B) at all follow-up visits (p<0.001).
• Patients undergoing coblation experienced faster healing times and fewer bleeding complications.
• Pain resolution was quicker with coblation, averaging 15.5 days versus 24.8 days for bipolar diathermy (p<0.001).

Conclusions:

• Coblation-assisted tonsillectomy offers significant advantages over bipolar diathermy in pediatric patients.
• Coblation leads to reduced postoperative pain, accelerated healing, and fewer complications.
• The findings support coblation as a preferred method for pediatric tonsillectomy due to improved patient recovery.