Dissection versus diathermy for tonsillectomy

Pinder DK, Wilson H, Hilton MP

Published Online:

March 16, 2011

Tonsillectomy is one of the most common operations. Complications can include bleeding, during or after the operation, and pain. This review compared the effectiveness of two different surgical techniques in reducing these complications. The surgical techniques were diathermy (the use of high-frequency electrical current to cut tissue, remove the tonsil and control blood loss) and traditional cold dissection (where the tonsil is cut away and blood loss then controlled with ties, stitches or diathermy). Two studies (254 patients) are included in the review. The review of trials found that there is not enough evidence to demonstrate that diathermy is more effective than dissection. There was some evidence that patients who had diathermy tonsillectomy had less bleeding during the operation but more pain afterwards, however more research is needed.

Abstract (click to read)

Background:

This is an update of a Cochrane Review first published in The Cochrane Library in Issue 4, 2001 and previously updated in 2003.

Tonsillectomy is a commonly performed surgical procedure. There are several operative methods currently in use, but the superiority of one over another has not been clearly demonstrated.

Objectives:

To compare the morbidity associated with tonsillectomy by two different techniques - dissection and diathermy.

Search strategy:

We searched the Cochrane Ear, Nose and Throat Disorders Group Trials Register, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library 2010, Issue 3), PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Science, BIOSIS Previews, ISRCTN and additional sources for published and unpublished trials. The date of the most recent search was 1 October 2010, following a previous update search in 2003.

Selection criteria:

Randomised controlled trials of children and adults undergoing tonsillectomy or adenotonsillectomy by dissection or diathermy techniques.

Data collection and analysis:

Two review authors selected studies, extracted data and assessed risk of bias independently.

Main results:

Two studies (254 participants) are included in the review. The overall risk of bias in the included studies was low, although we excluded pain data from one study due to unclear risk of bias. One study compared monopolar dissection diathermy with conventional cold dissection in children and the other compared microscopic bipolar dissection with cold dissection in children and adults. These studies demonstrate reduced intraoperative bleeding, but increased pain in the diathermy group. There was no difference in the rate of secondary bleeding overall, although the power of both studies to detect a small difference was insufficient.

Authors' conclusions:

There are insufficient data to show that one method of tonsillectomy is superior. There is evidence that pain may be greater after monopolar dissection. Large, well designed randomised controlled trials are necessary to determine the optimum method for tonsillectomy.

This record should be cited as:

Pinder DK, Wilson H, Hilton MP. Dissection versus diathermy for tonsillectomy. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2011, Issue 3. Art. No.: CD002211. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD002211.pub2

Assessed as up to date:

October 1, 2010

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Primary Review Group:

Ear, Nose and Throat Disorders Group

Health topics:

Ear, nose, & throat > Pharynx > Tonsillitis (chronic)

Demographic:

Children

Cochrane group topics:

Ear, Nose and Throat Disorders > Non-malignant disease > Pharynx > Tonsillitis > Chronic tonsillitis