The Effect of Ultrasonic Surgery Tool in the Treatment of Tonsillolithiasis

Abstract

Objective This study aimed to reveal the effects of the ultrasonic surgical tools in tonsillolith treatment alongside its complaints as an office-based surgical procedure. Material and Method Forty-four patients included in this study who were aware of the white-yellowish lesions on their tonsils concurrently complained of either halitosis and/or the foreign body sensation. Patients were asked to mark their pain scores on the visual analog scale for the pain on the 1st day after the procedure. Halitosis and foreign body sensation were questionnaired before the procedure. The surgical procedure was performed under local anesthesia with the probe of the ultrasonic surgical tool after the tonsilloliths were removed. Tonsils were examined again, also halitosis and foreign body sensation were questionnaired on the postoperative 6th and 12th month period. Results There was a statistically significant improvement in the patients’ halitosis complaint on the postoperative 6th (p=0.001) and 12th (p=0.000) month when compared to first attendance to the clinic. The foreign body sensation in the throat also had a statistically significant decrease in the postoperative 6th (p=0.000) and 12th month (p=0.000). Results showed that there is a statistically significant improvement of tonsilloliths on the postoperative 6th month (p=0.000) and 12th month (p=0.000). Conclusion The use of ultrasonic surgical tools in the treatment of tonsilloliths can be a favorable one-day office procedure. With its short duration of application, the lower pain scores, the day to return a normal diet, and its satisfactory results this procedure can be carried out easily and safely.