Background and Aim: Tonsillectomy is the commonest surgical procedure performed by otolaryngologists. Many surgical techniques and instruments are available and continually developed to reduce postoperative complications. However, no consensus exists regarding the standard technique.
The Aim of The Work: The current work aimed to compare the incidence of postoperative complications [bleeding and pain], after coblation tonsillectomy with and without sutures.
Patients and Methods: The study included 60 patients with chronic tonsilitis scheduled for elective tonsillectomy. They categorized to either coblation with or without sutures. All were preoperatively assessed by history taking, physical examination and laboratory investigations. After surgical intervention, the follow-up was continued for 4 weeks. Any complications [especially pain and hemorrhage] were documented and compared.
Results: Both groups were comparable regarding patient's age and sex. In addition, laboratory investigations, and pain at the fourth postoperative week were comparable between groups. Postoperative bleeding was reported in 5.0%, and was restricted to coblation without sutures [3 patients; represented10.0% of the group]; it was mild and treated conservatively [no patient required secondary surgical intervention to control bleeding]. Pain was significantly reduced in coblation with suture than without sutures at the first, the second and the third postoperative weeks [6.40±0.70, 2.90±0.99 and 0.00±0.00 vs 8.8±0.79, 4.33±0.89, and 1.17±0.83, successively]. Pain was completely absent at the fourth postoperative week in both groups.
Conclusion: Coblation with sutures is superior than coblation with sutures for tonsillectomy. It is associated with lower postoperative pain and hemorrhage, which reflects the safety and efficacy of the procedure.