Comparison of post-tonsillectomy pain with two different types of bipolar forceps: Low temperature quantum molecular resonance device versus high temperature conventional electrocautery

Abstract

Conclusion: The low temperature device did not show any advantages over the conventional high temperature electrocautery in terms of the postoperative pain, operation time, and complications in pediatric tonsillectomy. Objective: To compare post-tonsillectomy pain following the use of two different instruments with the same bipolar forceps techniques: low temperature quantum molecular resonance (QMR) device versus conventional high temperature electrocautery. Methods: Pediatric patients admitted from July 2008 through January 2009 were included. The participants underwent bilateral tonsillectomy; one side by the QMR device and the other by the bipolar electrocautery. The sides for each instrument were counterbalanced by the order of presentation. The postoperative pain was measured using the faces pain rating scale. Results: In all, 33 patients with a mean age of 7.6 years were enrolled. The postoperative pain, operation time, and complications in 33 sides dissected by the electrocautery and 33 sides by the QMR device were compared. The average operation times with each device were not statistically different. The mean ratings of the perception of pain related to each instrument were not different on operation day and postoperative day 1, day 4, and day 7 (p = 0.133, 0.057, 0.625, and 1.0, respectively). There was no postoperative complication in any of the patients.

Keywords::

• Bipolar electrocautery
• postoperative pain
• child

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interests. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.