Comparing Traditional Cold Knife Tonsillectomy with a New Technique Plasma Knife Tonsillectomy

Abstract

Objective:The aim of this study is to compare traditional cold knife tonsillectomy and plasma knife tonsillectomy.Methods:In this study, 15 patients underwent cold knife tonsillectomy, 15 patients underwent plasma knife tonsillectomy. The patients were then followed up in the postoperative days.Results:The operation time and intraoperative blood loss in cold knife tonsillectomy group was significantly greater than the plasma knife group (p0.05). Postoperative complications were similar for both groups (p=0.224). There was no significant correlation of complications and age (p=0.921). Operation time of the patients who had complications was not different from the patients who did not have complications (p=0.086). Pain scores in every follow up time for both groups was not significantly different (p>0.005).Conclusion:According to this data, plasma knife tonsillectomy was not found superior to cold knife tonsillectomy in the postoperative pain and complications but had positive effects on operation time and blood loss.

Keywords

• tonsillectomy
• cold dissection
• plasma knife
• hemorrhage
• pain scores