Coblation tonsillectomy versus cold dissection tonsillectomy. Is there a real difference in patient`s outcome?

Introduction:  There are many surgical techniques of tonsillectomy that have been developed over time, the coblation is a more expensive technique to be adopted, and the advantages that accompany its introduction must be significant.

Objectives: to assess the differences between cold dissection and coblation tonsillectomy. Study design: Prospective single blinded study.

Patients and Methods: This study included 40 patients, who were divided into two groups according to  technique of tonsillectomy, we assessed patients regarding operative time, amount of intra operative blood loss, incidence of post tonsillectomy bleeding, also patients completed a questionnaire regarding use of analgesics, degree of  pain and food resumption on 1^st, 3^rd, 7^th and 14^th days postoperatively.

Results: Patients in coblation group showed less intra operative blood loss, decreased use of analgesics and lower pain scores, while those in traditional tonsillectomy group suffered no post tonsillectomy bleeding.

Conclusions: Coblation tonsillectomy is a useful technique with less blood loss, smooth recovery and less postoperative pain, we couldn't conclude its risks on post tonsillectomy bleeding due to differences of this technique skill between surgeons and small size of our study.