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Post-tonsillectomy pain with selective diathermy haemostasis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2007

H. L. Tay*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, UK.
*
Address for correspondence: H. L. Tay, F.R.C.S., Department of Otolaryngology, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee DD1 9SY. Fax: 01382 632816

Abstract

A prospective randomized study was carried out to assess the post-tonsillectomy morbidity of the selective diathermy technique as opposed to the ligation technique. One hundred and five patients had one tonsillar fossa haemostasis secured by unipolar diathermy and the opposite side by ligation technique. There was significantly less pharyngeal pain on the diathermy side in the first post-operative day. However, there was no significant difference between the two sides, both in pharyngeal discomfort and otalgia for the rest of the post-operative period. There was no difference in the incidence of haemorrhage between the two techniques.

Type
Main Articles
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 1996

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