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Ligation Versus Bipolar Diathermy for Hemostasis in Tonsillectomy: A Comparative Study

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Abstract

Tonsillectomy despite being less performed nowadays still is a very common surgery performed by ENT surgeons. The use of various modalities like bipolar diathermy, laser, cryosurgery, radiofrequency and ionic coblation for hemostasis in tonsillectomy remains controversial so far. A thorough scan of literature comparing the ligation with diathermy has been presented. In this prospective study, we analysed 50 patients undergoing tonsillectomy by dissection method. Right sided tonsillectomies act as study group (bipolar diathermy used) and left sided tonsillectomies as the control group (ligation for hemostasis used). The aim of our study is to compare the amount of blood loss, number of ligatures applied, average time taken and incidence of postoperative haemorrhage following the use of ligation and bipolar diathermy. The study found that diathermy hemostatic technique is associated with a quicker procedure, less intraoperative blood loss, comparable postoperative pain.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of ENT, Goverment Medical College, 39-B, Circular Road, Amritsar, 143001, Punjab, India

    Karan Sharma

  2. Junior Resident ENT, Goverment Medical College, Amritsar, 143001, Punjab, India

    Devinder Kumar

Authors
  1. Karan Sharma
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  2. Devinder Kumar
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Correspondence to Karan Sharma.

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Sharma, K., Kumar, D. Ligation Versus Bipolar Diathermy for Hemostasis in Tonsillectomy: A Comparative Study. Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 63, 15–19 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12070-010-0094-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12070-010-0094-5

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