Bipolar radiofrequency tonsillotomy compared with traditional cold dissection tonsillectomy in adults with recurrent tonsillitis.

OBJECTIVE To compare short- and long-term results of radiofrequency tonsillotomy and traditional cold dissection tonsillectomy in adult patients with recurrent tonsillitis. STUDY DESIGN A randomized clinical trial. SETTING A tertiary referral university hospital. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Of 62 adults with recurrent tonsillitis, 24 patients were treated with cold dissection tonsillectomy, while radiofrequency tonsillotomy (RF) by use of radiofrequency induced thermotherapy probes was performed in the remaining 38 patients. Duration of surgery, amount of intraoperative bleeding, recovery time, postsurgical pain (measured by use of visual analogue scale on days 1, 3, 5, and 10 after surgery), dysphagia, weight loss, and time of return to normal diet and activity were measured. All the patients were followed for 12 to 24 months for recurrence of tonsillitis episodes. RESULTS Comparing the radiofrequency tonsillotomy group to the cold dissection tonsillectomy group, mean duration of surgery was 16.89 versus 45.04 minutes, recovery time was 14.32 minutes versus 17.08 minutes, and amount of intraoperative bleeding was 15 to 20 cc versus 250 to 300 cc, respectively (P < 0.005). There was no difference between the two groups in the recurrence of tonsillitis episodes after 24 months. CONCLUSION Tonsillotomy with radiofrequency is a simple, rapid, and effective method in adult patients with recurrent tonsillitis.