The Use of Bipolar Electrocautery Tonsillectomy in Patients with Pediatric Respiratory Tract Obstruction

Abstract

Aim: This study offers a comparative analysis of the intraoperative and postoperative clinical results of bipolar electrocautery tonsillectomy and conventional tonsillectomy techniques in children with respiratory tract obstruction because of tonsillar hypertrophy. Material and Method: Results in 31 children who underwent bipolar electrocautery tonsillectomy were compared with those in 45 children who had conventional cold dissection tonsillectomy. Postoperative pain scores were measured in the early postoperative period by the Modified Hannalah Scale and in the late postoperative period by the Visual Analog Score. Intraoperative blood loss, operation time, duration of oral intake, intake of painkillers, recovery time, and postoperative pain scores of the two groups are also compared. Result: Children who underwent bipolar electrocautery tonsillectomy group had significantly less scores in pain throughout their recovery period, intraoperative blood loss, operation time, duration of oral intake, intake of painkiller, recovery time, and postoperative pain than those who had conventional tonsillectomy. Discussion: Bipolar electrocautery tonsillectomy is as effective and safe as conventional tonsillectomy to relieve obstructive sleep apnea in pediatric patients. Bipolar electrocautery tonsillectomy reduces postoperative pain, improves the quality of life and shortens the recovery time. Therefore, this procedure is more tolerable in children than conventional tonsillectomy.