CO2 laser tonsillectomy : a comparison with the standard technique

Abstract EN

Background: Tonsillectomy is the most frequent operation done in our specialty; many methods have been applied like the dissection method, the guillotine, the coblation method, tonsillectomy by the use of laser and other methods .

Objectives: To evaluate laser excision of tonsillectomy versus the standard excision, the parameters monitored were post-operative pain and healing and intra-operative blood loss.

Patients and method: This prospective study was carried out on 50 patients.

One tonsil was removed with Co2 laser and the other was excised with conventional dissection and tie technique.

The patients did not know which tonsil was removed with laser.

Pain, healing and the intraoperative blood loss were assessed and a comparison between both sides was done.

Results: On the evening of surgery 80% of patients select the site that underwent dissection method as the most painful, at mid week: 80% select the laser side as the most painful and about 70% of patients at day 10 also select the laser side as the most painful.

Intraoperative blood loss was significantly less with CO2 laser tonsillectomy but healing was not accelerated.