Post-tonsillectomy pain and bleeding in children: A comparison of traditional tonsillectomy with electrodissection tonsillectomy

Post-tonsillectomy pain and bleeding among children undergoing traditional tonsillectomy with those undergoing electrodessiction tonsillectomy were compared. A total of 190 children (2 -12 years old). Eighty-Nine males and 101 females, who were admitted to Al-Namas General Hospital during the period of 2008 to 2011 for tonsillectomy were randomized into either traditional tonsillectomy (97 patients) or electrodissection tonsillectomy (93 patients). Post-tonsillectomy severe pharyngeal pain was more experienced by patients who underwent tonsillectomy by electrodissection. Pain was significantly higher on day 5 (p=0.029). Postoperative hemorrhage was experienced by 6 cases who underwent traditional tonsillectomy (6.2%) and 2 cases who underwent tonsillectomy by electrodissection (2.2%). Difference between both study groups regarding postoperative hemorrhage was not statistically significant. Electrodissection tonsillectomy technique is associated with significantly higher postoperative pain and slightly less incidence of post-tonsillectomy bleeding than that associated with postoperative traditional tonsillectomy technique.