A Comparison between Cold Dissection Tonsillectomy and Harmonic Scalpel Tonsillectomy

Introduction: This study aimed to compare operation time, intraoperative bleeding and postoperative pain between cold dissection tonsillectomy and harmonic scalpel tonsillectomy. Materials and Methods: In this single-blinded clinical trial, 32 patients aged 14–48 were enrolled. Each patient randomly underwent tonsillectomy using the harmonic scalpel on one side and cold dissection on the other side. Operation time and bleeding volume were measured during surgery. The pain intensity level on each side was recorded on the first and seventh postoperative days. Results: The mean volume of intraoperative bleeding was 9.59 ml on the harmonic side and 74.38 ml on the cold dissection side; which represents a significantly lower amount on the harmonic side (P<0.001). The mean time of tonsillectomy was 427.63±196.32 s for the harmonic side and 711 271.88 s for the cold dissection side (P<0.001). The mean pain intensity level on the first postoperative day was 3.88 on the harmonic side and 6.19 on the cold dissection site (P<0.001). Conclusion: Mean operation time, volume of bleeding and pain intensity level on the first postoperative day were all statistically lower on the harmonic side.