Methods of Haemostasis in Tonsillectomy Assessed by Pain Scores and Consultation Rates: The Roskilde County Tonsillectomy Study

Abstract

Objectives : To compare four methods of haemostasis after tonsillectomy assessed by pain scores and consultation rates. Study design and methods : A prospective study. The method of sole compression of the tonsillar fossae with gauze tampons was compared to ligation, bipolar diathermy and ligation/diathermy in combination. Results: Highly significantly lower pain scores after discharge were found in the compression group compared to the other three groups ( p <0.025). The consultation rate in person after discharge of the compression group was significantly lower than in the diathermy group ( p <0.01) and the ligation/diathermy group ( p <0.05). Conclusion : Sole compression was associated with considerably less morbidity and no higher risk of postoperative haemorrhage. Sole compression should therefore be preferred in tonsillectomy whenever the surgeon considers it to be justified.