A comparison of the results of harmonic scalpel and cold knife tonsillectomy in pediatric patients
Gürkan Kayabaşoğlu1, Recep Aydın1, Deniz Demir1, Mehmet Güven1, Ünal Erkorkmaz2
1Sakarya Üniversitesi Kulak Burun Boğaz Anabilimdalı
2Sakarya Üniversitesi Biyoistatistik Anabilimdalı
Keywords: Bleeding, electrocautery, harmonic scalpel, hemostasis, pain, tonsillectomy, ultrasonic scalpel.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study aims to compare harmonic scalpel and cold knife tonsillectomy techniques with respect to duration of operation, amount of bleeding, and postoperative pain.
METHODS: Records of 40 patients (21 males, 19 females; mean age 6.8 years; range 3 to 15 years) who underwent harmonic scalpel or cold knife tonsillectomy at our clinic between January 2014 and March 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. Both groups were compared in terms of intra- and postoperative bleeding amount, duration of operation, and pain scores at days 1, 3, 5, 7, and 10.
RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of duration of operation, intra- and postoperative bleeding amount, and pain scores.
CONCLUSION: Harmonic scalpel is a helpful surgical instrument, which can be used safely by experienced otolaryngologists in tonsillectomy procedures, reducing bleeding and decreasing duration of operation.