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The debate continues: a prospective, randomised, single-blind study comparing Coblation and bipolar tonsillectomy techniques

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 November 2017

D Wiltshire ,
M Cronin ,
N Lintern ,
K Fraser-Kirk ,
S Anderson ,
R Barr ,
D Bennett  and
C Bond
D Wiltshire*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ipswich Hospital, Australia
M Cronin
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ipswich Hospital, Australia
N Lintern
Affiliation:
Department of Surgery, Cairns Hospital, Australia
K Fraser-Kirk
Affiliation:
Department of Surgery, Nambour General Hospital, Australia
S Anderson
Affiliation:
Department of Surgery, Townsville Hospital, Australia
R Barr
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ipswich Hospital, Australia
D Bennett
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ipswich Hospital, Australia
C Bond
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ipswich Hospital, Australia
*
Address for correspondence: Dr Danielle Wiltshire, Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ipswich Hospital, PO Box 73, Ipswich, Queensland 4305, Australia E-mail: dwil0570@uni.sydney.edu.au
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Abstract

Objectives:

Tonsillectomy is a common procedure with significant post-operative pain. This study was designed to compare post-operative pain, returns to a normal diet and normal activity, and duration of regular analgesic use in Coblation and bipolar tonsillectomy patients.

Methods:

A total of 137 patients, aged 2–50 years, presenting to a single institution for tonsillectomy or adenotonsillectomy were recruited. Pain level, diet, analgesic use, return to normal activity and haemorrhage data were collected.

Results:

Coblation tonsillectomy was associated with significantly less pain than bipolar tonsillectomy on post-operative days 1 (p = 0.005), 2 (p = 0.006) and 3 (p = 0.010). Mean pain scores were also significantly lower in the Coblation group (p = 0.039). Coblation patients had a significantly faster return to normal activity than bipolar tonsillectomy patients (p < 0.001).

Conclusion:

Coblation tonsillectomy is a less painful technique compared to bipolar tonsillectomy in the immediate post-operative period and in the overall post-operative period. This allows a faster return to normal activity and decreased analgesic requirements.

Keywords

TonsillectomyCoblationPostoperative Pain
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 132 , Issue 3 , March 2018 , pp. 240 - 245
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2017 

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Footnotes

Presented at the Australian Society of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 64th Annual Scientific Meeting, 29 March – 1 April 2014, Brisbane, Australia.

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