Evaluation of Anterior and Posterior Pillar Suturing Following Adult Tonsillectomy in Terms of Hemorrhage, Pain, and Dysphagia Complications.

Abstract

Tonsillectomy is one of the most common surgical procedures performed by otolaryngologists. Postoperative complications, although rare, can be observed in tonsillectomy. This study aimed to investigate the effect of anterior and posterior pillar suturing on dysphagia, hemorrhage, and pain complications following tonsillectomy in adult patients. The study included 80 patients (32 males, 48 females; > 18years) who underwent tonsillectomy. The patients were divided into two groups: Group 1, in which the tonsillar lodge was closed by anterior-posterior pillar suturing with a 3-0 chromic catgut suture after hemostatic compression and Group 2, in which the tonsillar lodge was exposed following hemostatic compression and bipolar cauterization. Post-surgical pain was assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). Oropharyngeal dysphagia was evaluated using the Eating Assessment Tool (EAT)-10. None of the patients experienced postoperative primary hemorrhage. However, postoperative secondary hemorrhage was observed in seven patients, two from Group 1 and five from Group 2. There was no significant difference in postoperative hemorrhage between the two groups (p = 0.449). Furthermore, no statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups in terms of the NRS scores on postoperative day 1 and at postoperative week 2 (p = 0.130 and 0.142, respectively) or the EAT-10 scores at postoperative week 2 and postoperative month 6 (p = 0.925 and 0.090, respectively). Anterior-posterior pillar suturing, which is performed for hemorrhage control after tonsillectomy, is not superior to the conventional bipolar method in terms of postoperative dysphagia, hemorrhage, and pain.