Haemostasis during tonsillectomy silk ligation versus bipolar diathermy

Abstract EN

Background : Tonsillectomy is a commonly performed surgical procedure.

There are several operative methods but the superiority of one over the other has not been clearly demonstrated Design : prospective, comparative study.

Aim : To compare the morbidity associated with tonsillectomy using two different techniques for haemostasis silk ligation versus diathermy.

Patients and Methods : This is a prospective, comparative study at ENT department of AL–sadder teaching hospital, College of Medicine, University of Kufa, from June 2008 – November 2009; where 250 patients were enrolled in this study.

The results of the two groups i.e.

tonsillectomy using silk ligation or diathermy for haemostasis was studied.

Results : Tonsillectomy of 250 patients were performed; 160 male (64%) and 90 (36%) female.

The mean operation time was 20 minutes with bipolar diathermy as compared to 30 minutes with silk ligation, analgesic requirement during the first 24 hours post operatively was equal with both techniques.

Primary bleeding was noticed in 6 patients (2.4%) with bipolar diathermy haemostasis as compared to 13 patients (5.2%) with silk ligation.

Secondary bleeding was encountered in 10 patients (4%) with bipolar diathermy and in 7 patients (2.9%) with silk ligation Conclusions : Less operative time was taken by bipolar diathermy as compared to silk ligation.

The incidence of primary post-operative bleeding was more with silk ligation while the secondary haemorrhage was significantly less with silk ligation.