Postoperative tonsillectomy pain: Cold versus monopolar electrocautery technique. Prospective randomized trial

Abstract

Introduction: There are different techniques for carrying out tonsillectomy. Among the most common ones are the “cold technique” (scalpel, scissors and handle), and the monopolar electrocautery technique. No consensus is available to define which technique is less painful. Aim: To assess the effect of the surgical technique (“cold” vs monopolar electro- cautery) on post-operative pain perception. Material and method: Prospective blind randomized clinical trial. 17 patients with tonsillectomy indication (34 tonsils) over 5 years old, without major surgical risk, and after randomization and obtaining an informed consent, received a tonsillectomy using cold technique and the contra lateral side was removed using monopolar electrocautery technique. Pain perception was measured with visual analogue scale (VAS) during the first seven days after surgery. Patients and relatives were unaware of the technique used on each side. Results: There were differences in pain perception between day 3 and 7 (p <0.05). Assessing evolution across time, pain was higher with the electrocautery technique (no significant difference was found in the first 2 days). Conclusion: Based on our results tonsillectomy using cold technique appears to be associated with less post-operative pain, starting on the third post-surgery day.