Abstract
In the present study, the efficacy of monopolar electrocautery, harmonic scalpel, coblater, and cold knife was evaluated in tonsillectomy. Fifty two adult patients with chronic tonsillitis were divided into four groups, and the operation time and postoperative pain were examined. The mean operation time of tonsillectomy was 35.0±13.2min with monopolar electrocautery, 40.0±10.0min with harmonic scalpel, 54.0±19.1min with coblater, and 101.0±24.1min with cold knife. Thus, the operation time of tonsillectomy with cold knife was significantly prolonged, in comparison with those employing the other three devices (p<0.05). On the contrary, postoperative pain evaluated by self-reporting scales was decreased in the order of cold knife, coblater, harmonic scalpel, and monopolar electrocautery. The pain level after tonsillectomy with monopolar electrocautery was significantly greater than that with cold knife on postoperative days 2-7 (p<0.01). In conclusion, the efficacies of harmonic scalpel and coblater in tonsillectomy lay midway between those with monopolar electrocautery and cold knife.
