Tonsillar healing membrane characteristic for tonsillectomy using combined cold dissection and bipolar electrocautery

Abstract

Abstract Purpose To evaluate post-tonsillectomy healing process using combined cold dissection and bipolar cautery for hemostasis. Methods This case series included patients for whom tonsillectomy was done by cold dissection and limited the bipolar cautery for hemostasis and dealing with the lower pole only. Saline irrigation was used for the tonsillar bed after tonsillectomy and a wet saline-moistened pack was placed into the tonsil fossa. Intra-oral digital photographs were reviewed postoperative, at 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, 11th, 13th, 15th, and 21st day after surgery. Patients were asked to register their postoperative pain using a standardized visual analog scale. The time of separation of the healing membrane (HM) and any blood clot and/or bleeding surface were recorded. Results Among included 114 patients, the HM color was white without odor in all cases. Extension of the HM was limited to the tonsillar bed in 112 patients (98%) and exceeded in 2 patients (2%). The mean time for HM separation was 8.8 ± 1.1 days (range = 7–14) with a significantly longer period of separation in females (p = 0.0008). There was no significant correlation between the time of the HM separation and the age of the patients (P = 0.9). Conclusion Cold dissection tonsillectomy with limited hot tools usage for hemostasis by bipolar cautery with frequent saline wash leads to odorless HM and a good healing process with an average separation of the HM and so less pain and post-tonsillectomy bleeding.

Keywords

• Tonsillectomy
• Cautery
• Healing membrane
• Bleeding