Coblation Versus Bipolar Diathermy for Adult Tonsillectomy

Objective: To compare coblation and bipolar diathermy tonsillectomy in adults in terms of operative time, operative blood loss, post operative pain and post operative complications. Patients and Methods: Thirty patients (aged 18-40 years) scheduled for tonsillectomy were enrolled in this study, the patients were randomized using sealed envelopes to have one tonsil removed by coblation and the other tonsil removed with bipolar diathermy. Operative time and operative blood loss were recorded for each side separately and compared. The patients were given a pain diary to record the level of pain on each side using a visual analog score for 7 days. They were asked also to report any complications. Results: Operative time and operative blood loss were significantly less in the coblation sides ( p<0.001). The mean pain score on the coblation sides was significantly lower compared to the diathermy sides on the 1 st and 2nd post operative days. Conclusion: This study can be added to the studies recommending the use of coblation for tonsillectomy in adults based on the minimal post-operative pain and similar morbidity compared to bipolar diathermy.