Extracapsular Tonsillectomy Research Articles

Long-term outcomes of extracapsular tonsillectomy in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea in adults

Background Tonsillectomy is an effective treatment option for obstructive sleep apnoea in selected adult patients, but there has been a lack of long-term follow-up data. Objectives To analyse the long-term outcomes of extracapsular tonsillectomy in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea in adults, with the longest follow-up periods to date. Materials and methods We recruited adults who had undergone extracapsular tonsillectomy because of obstructive sleep apnoea between 2004 and 2018 in the Hospital District of Southwest Finland. A new home sleep study, questionnaires, and a structured phone interview were conducted on these patients 4–17 years after surgical treatment. The primary outcome was the change in the apnoea-hypopnoea index. Results The mean apnoea-hypopnoea index was reduced from 27.1 preoperatively to 14.1 after the long-term follow-up (mean 12 years), and the mean Epworth Sleepiness Scale score decreased from 9.2 to 4.6. The long-term surgical success rate was 38.5%. Four out of five patients would choose the surgery again according to the phone interview. Conclusions and significance This study supports the notion that extracapsular tonsillectomy alone can be considered as a surgical treatment option for selected adults with obstructive sleep apnoea and tonsillar hypertrophy. For most of the patients, the obstructive sleep apnoea is alleviated.

Intracapsular versus extracapsular tonsil surgery: Comparison of postoperative haemorrhage outcomes in the Australasian setting

ObjectiveTo investigate the incidence and timing of postoperative haemorrhage between intracapsular (ICT) and extracapsular tonsillectomy (ECT) techniques and evaluate factors influencing haemorrhage risk and severity. MethodsA retrospective review of patients undergoing tonsillectomy over 5 years across otolaryngology services in Australia and New Zealand. Primary outcomes were rate and timing of post-tonsillectomy haemorrhage. ResultsA total of 12,275 patients were included in this study. The overall post-tonsillectomy bleed rate was 3.3 %, with 0.65 % requiring return to theatre. ICT had a significantly lower bleed rate of 1.7 % compared to 4.1 % for ECT (p < 0.001). The rate of return to theatre was markedly lower for ICT (0.08 %) compared to ECT (0.93 %, p < 0.001). Median day of bleeding was not different between the techniques. Patients undergoing surgery for recurrent tonsillitis had the highest rate of postoperative haemorrhage (15 %), while those with sleep-disordered breathing alone had the lowest (3 %, p < 0.001). ConclusionICT results in significantly lower rates of postoperative haemorrhage and need for surgical intervention compared to ECT. This was most pronounced in paediatric patients with sleep-disordered breathing. ICT may be considered a preferable option for certain patient groups, especially younger children with sleep-disordered breathing, though more evidence is needed to confirm its efficacy and safety in patients with recurrent tonsillitis.

Coblation versus BiZact extra-capsular tonsillectomy in adults: a randomized control trial.

Tonsillectomy is a frequently performed otolaryngological procedure and is associated with significant postoperative pain and bleeding. A number of studies have investigated methods to reduce pain and bleeding. Coblation and BiZact devices have both been claimed to have favourable pain outcomes following tonsillectomy. This study was designed to investigate these two techniques in a direct comparison of postoperative pain and bleeding. In this single blinded, randomized control trial, 61 patients were randomly assigned to undergo tonsillectomy with either the BiZact or Coblation device. Pain scores were collected for 14 days postoperatively using a Visual Analogue Score scale. Secondary outcome data was collected for duration of surgery, intra-operative bleeding, return to normal, and secondary bleeding rates. Coblation was found to have lower postoperative pain on day 1 (P < 0.05). BiZact was found to have lower postoperative pain on day 7 (P < 0.05) and day 11 (P < 0.05). Pain scores for other days were not significant. There was no significant difference in set-up time, procedural time and return to normal activities. The BiZact group had a longer time to achieve haemostasis (P < 0.001) and greater intraoperative blood loss (P < 0.01). There was a trend towards more significant secondary bleeding in the BiZact arm, however, this study was not adequately powered to assess this finding. Both Coblation and BiZact devices appear to provide a safe and effective method for tonsillectomy in adults. Reduced pain on day 1 may make Coblation more suitable for day-case surgery.

Coblation intracapsular tonsillectomy in a paediatric tertiary centre: Revision surgery rates over a nine-year period

ObjectivesCoblation intracapsular tonsillectomy (ICT) is increasingly being used in the paediatric population because of the rapid recovery and low rates of complications associated with it. There is, however, a risk of symptomatic regrowth with this technique. The objective of our study is to establish the rate of, and risks for, revision surgery over time in a major tertiary referral centre with a large cohort of paediatric Coblation ICT cases. MethodsA retrospective review of all children (0–19 years) undergoing Coblation ICT from April 2013 to June 2022 was undertaken, using electronic databases and clinical records. Post-operative follow up was reviewed and revision cases were subsequently identified and examined. Statistical analysis was performed using a Chi-Squared test. Results4111 patients underwent Coblation ICT during the studied period, with or without concomitant adenoidectomy. Of these, 135 (3.3 %) required revision tonsil surgery, primarily for recurrence of initial symptoms; two patients required two consecutive revision procedures (137 revision procedures in total). Eight-eight (n = 88) (64 %) of these were revised with a repeat Coblation ICT procedure and 49 (36 %) with bipolar diathermy extracapsular tonsillectomy (ECT) of remnant tonsil tissue.The revision rates after Coblation ICT declined steeply on a year-on-year basis since the commencement of this technique (from 10.6 % early on, to 0.3 % at the end of the study period P<0.001). A significantly higher revision rate was noted in children below the age of two at the time of primary surgery, compared to those older than two years of age (P<0.001). ConclusionsThis study demonstrates real-world departmental revision rates over a nine-year period from the technique's commencement of use. With Coblation ICT, symptomatic re-growth occurs rarely, but may be clinically significant, with higher rates of recurrent symptoms seen in children under two years of age at the time of primary surgery. The revision rate apparently drops over time in parallel with overall experience of surgeons and formalised training.

Comparison of the rate of delayed bleeding in children with intracapsular tonsillectomy and extracapsular tonsillectomy by coblation

Comparison of the rate of delayed bleeding in children with intracapsular tonsillectomy and extracapsular tonsillectomy by coblation

Intracapsular Versus Total Tonsillectomy in Patients with Trisomy 21.

Intracapsular tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy (iTA) has become a popular alternative to extracapsular tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy (TT) for the treatment of pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) due to improved recovery and fewer complications. The objective of this study was to compare surgical recovery and impact on OSA of iTA versus TT in patients with Trisomy 21 (T21). This is a case series with chart review of all T21 patients who underwent iTA or TT at our institution between July 1, 2015 and August 15, 2022. Data collected included demographics, comorbidities, preoperative sleep studies, intraoperative data, complications and recovery, postoperative sleep studies, and follow-up data. There were 62 (21.7%) patients who underwent iTA and 224 (78.3%) patients who underwent TT. The iTA group had significantly lower pain scores (p < 0.001), decreased use of narcotics (p < 0.001), shorter length of stay (p = 0.003), and faster return to oral intake (p = 0.01) during their postoperative hospital admission, and fewer 30-day complications (p = 0.009) compared to the TA group. Both groups showed significant improvements in their sleep studies. For 41 (66.1%) of iTA patients who had follow-up, median follow-up was 1.8 years and for 169 (75.4%) TT patients, median follow-up was 2.6 years. At follow-up, 21 of 41 (51.2%) iTA patients and 83 of 169 (49.1%) TT patients exhibited OSA symptoms (p = 0.084) and tonsillar regrowth was not significantly different between the two groups (p = 0.12). Patients with T21 experience less pain and fewer postoperative respiratory complications from iTA than from TT. The short-term impact of iTA versus TT on OSA, as measured by poysomnography, does not differ between the two techniques. 3 Laryngoscope, 134:2430-2437, 2024.

Tonsillitis Index: Classification, Epidemiology, Prevention of Tonsillitis and Different Tonsillectomy Techniques for Recurrent Acute Tonsillitis

Tonsils function as a defense system and aid in keeping your body free of infections. About 5% to 40% of cases of tonsillitis are caused by bacterial infection, which is the most frequent cause of the condition. There are several different forms of tonsillitis, including viral tonsillitis and bacterial tonsillitis, which is brought on by bacteria like streptococcal pharyngitis. Tonsil redness and swelling are its symptoms. Tonsils that are covered in white or yellow patches or have a sore throat, swallowing problems, fever, swollen tonsils, etc. There are just a few treatment options, including surgery to remove the tonsils, medication such NASIDs and antibiotics, and home remedies. A tonsillectomy is a surgical procedure that totally removes the tonsil. Different methods are used to accomplish it. Any method of tonsillectomy is acceptable as long as the crypts are kept open and some tonsil tissue is left behind, including laser, radiofrequency, shaver, coblation, bipolar scissor, and Colorado needle. Even the finest surgeon will have a postoperative haemorrhage because bleeding is a possibility with all surgical methods. After cold dissection with ligature or suturing, there is the least chance of haemorrhage. A increased risk of late bleeding exists with all "hot" procedures using laser, radiofrequency, coblation, mono- or bipolar forceps. In seriously afflicted infants with recurrent tonsillitis, an antibiotic allergy, PFAPA syndrome (periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, and cervical adenitis), and peritonsillar abscess, total extracapsular tonsillectomy is still advised. It affects the patients' immunity.

Extracapsular Tonsillectomy versus Intracapsular Tonsillotomy in Paediatric Patients with OSAS.

The objective of our study was to compare our experience of intracapsular tonsillotomy performed with the help of a microdebrider usually used for adenoidectomy with results obtained from extracapsular surgery through dissection and from adenoidectomy in cases of people affected with OSAS, linked to adeno-tonsil hypertrophy, observed and treated in the last 5 years. 3127 children with adenotonsillar hyperplasia and OSAS-related clinical symptoms (aged between 3 and 12 years) underwent tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy. A total of 1069 patients (Group A) underwent intracapsular tonsillotomy, while 2058 patients (Group B) underwent extracapsular tonsillectomy, from January 2014 to June 2018. The parameters considered in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the two different surgery techniques taken into consideration were as follows: the presence of possible postoperative complications, represented mainly by pain and perioperative bleeding; the level of postoperative respiratory obstruction compared with the original obstruction through night pulse oximetry, performed 6 months before and after the surgery; tonsillar hypertrophy relapse in Group A and/or the presence of residues in Group B with clinical evaluation performed 1 month, 6 months, and 1 year after the surgery; and postoperative life quality, evaluated through submitting to parents the same survey proposed before the surgery 1 month, 6 months, and 1 year after the surgery. Regardless of the technique used (extracapsular tonsillectomy or intracapsular tonsillotomy), there was a clear improvement in both the obstructive respiratory symptomatology and quality of life in both patient groups, as highlighted by the pulse oximetry and the OSA-18 survey submitted later. Intracapsular tonsillotomy surgery has improved in terms of a reduction in postoperative bleeding cases and pain reduction, with an earlier return to patients' usual lifestyle. Lastly, using a microdebrider with the intracapsular technique seems to be particularly effective in removing most of the tonsillar lymphatic tissue, leaving only a thin border of pericapsular lymphoid tissue and preventing lymphoid tissue regrowth during one year of follow-up.

Associations Between Post-tonsillectomy Hemorrhage and Anatomical Subsites of the Tonsillar Fossa.

This study presents a novel classification of the anatomical subsites of the tonsillar fossa and discusses their associations with post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage (PTH) after extracapsular tonsillectomy. Coblation tonsillectomy was performed on three adult cadavers and the anatomical subsites of the tonsillar fossa based on the distribution of the tonsillar feeding artery: the upper pole (subsite A), most of the tonsil body (subsite B), the inferior tonsil body (subsite C), and components of the lower pole (subsites D and E). Extracapsular tonsillectomy was prospectively performed using various surgical techniques and PTH was evaluated. A cadaveric study revealed that the intra- and extra-capsular vessel topographies were essentially identical. Although the demarcation lines varied either up or down by a few millimeters, the arterial vascular network was particularly dense at subsites D and E, and the vessel diameter at these subsites was significantly greater than at subsite C and also (especially) at subsite E. Of 680 patients who underwent tonsillectomy, PTH developed early in 13 (31.7%) and late in 28 (68.3%). Surgical interventions were required by 29/41 patients (70.7%). Subsites D and E were the most common subsites of late PTH and PTH that required intervention. Such intervention was rarely necessary when PTH developed at subsite A or B. The new classification of the anatomical subsites of the tonsillar fossa aids inexperienced surgeons and provides an anatomical rationale for variation in surgical technique that minimizes vascular injury, thus improving safety.

Multicentre clinical study of haemorrhage after coblation tonsillectomy in children: a prospective study protocol

IntroductionPost-tonsillectomy haemorrhage (PTH) is the most common and significant life-threatening complication following tonsillectomy, especially in children. Coblation tonsillectomy (CTE) at low temperature is extensively used in China and has gradually...

Reducing post-tonsillectomy haemorrhage: a multicentre quality improvement programme incorporating video-based cold technique instruction

ObjectiveData from the Norwegian Tonsil Surgery Register (NTSR) showed large differences between the hospitals in Norway in the readmission rate due to post-tonsillectomy haemorrhage (rrPTH; range, 0%–25%; national average, 8%)....

Efficacy of endoscopic powered intracapsular tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy for pediatric obstructive sleep apnea: A retrospective case-control study

ObjectiveSafe surgery for pediatric patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is important to decrease postoperative events and improve cost-effectiveness. Therefore, this study aimed to compare surgical efficacy and safety between powered intracapsular tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy (PITA) and extracapsular tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy for OSA in children. MethodsIn this retrospective case-control study, patient characteristics and postoperative outcomes were compared between 93 children with OSA who underwent PITA and 81 children who underwent conventional extracapsular tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy at a tertiary hospital. Data analysis using multivariate, multiple regression, and binomial logistic regression analyses was performed. ResultsPITA reduced the odds of postoperative hemorrhage by 8.95% (odds ratio [OR]: 5.69, p = 0.013) and of secondary hemorrhage by 8.8% (OR: 10.08, p = 0.006), decreased postoperative analgesia use by 0.35% (p < 0.001), and increased oral intake on postoperative day 1 by 17% (p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in early hemorrhage or regrowth rates between the groups. ConclusionPITA could reduce the risk of secondary hemorrhage and improve postoperative quality of life, which are ideal clinical benefits of surgery in pediatric patients with OSA.

Intracapsular tonsillectomy in the treatment of recurrent and chronic tonsillitis in adults: a protocol of a prospective, single-blinded, randomised study with a 5-year follow-up (the FINITE trial)

IntroductionThe standard surgical treatment for recurrent or chronic tonsillitis is extracapsular tonsillectomy. Recent studies show that intracapsular tonsillectomy has the potential to reduce the postoperative morbidity of patients undergoing tonsil...

A novel classification and grading scale of palatine tonsil anatomy in children.

The influence of tonsil anatomical differences on post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage and pain has not been studied yet. This study aimed to establish a classification and grading scale of palatine tonsil anatomy, not size, for personalized post-tonsillectomy care. Between August 2020 and August 2021, 337 children who underwent extracapsular tonsillectomy were recruited. The images of tonsil anatomy during the surgery were recorded and then classified and graded. Postoperative hemorrhage was recorded, and the degree of pain was measured using a visual analog scale (VAS). The primary outcomes were the associations between postoperative hemorrhage, pain, and the classification and gradeof tonsil anatomy, analyzed by univariable and multivariable analyses. 186 of the 337 patients (55.2%) were male and 151 (44.8%) were female; the mean age was 5.59years. The overall postoperative hemorrhage rate was 4.1%. The mean postoperative VAS score was 4.96. By univariable analysis with logistic regression model, significant associations were found between postoperative hemorrhage and the grade 2 and grade 3 tonsillarlower pole, and grade 3 tonsillar bed. Multivariable analysis with binary logistic regression model also revealed significant associations between postoperative hemorrhage and the grade 2 and grade 3 lower pole (OR: 8.23, 95% CI 1.01-67.37, P = 0.049; OR: 23.86, 95% CI 2.22-56.47, P = 0.009, respectively) and grade 3 tonsillar bed (OR: 14.25, 95% CI 1.46-18.75, P = 0.022). Linear regression analysis showed the associations between postoperative pain and grade 2 and grade 3 lower pole (β: 0.88, 95% CI 0.31-1.32, P = 0.002; β: 1.56, 95% CI 1.29-3.29, P = 0.001, respectively) and grade 3 anterior surface (β: 0.85, 95% CI 0.30-3.07, P = 0.004). Age and upper pole were not associated with the postoperative hemorrhage and pain neither. In the present study, we established a novel classification and 3-grade scale of palatine tonsil anatomy, based on upper pole, anterior surface, lower pole, and tonsillar bed. Furthermore, we revealed for the first time that some anatomical characteristics of tonsils were associated with post-tonsillectomy complications.

A prospective, randomized, single-blind study comparing coblation and monopolar extracapsular tonsillectomy.

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to compare intraoperative blood loss, postoperative pain, post‐tonsillectomy hemorrhage (PTH), and medical costs associated with extracapsular tonsillectomy between coblation and monopolar electrocautery in children.Materials and methodsThis study included 293 patients aged 6–15 years planned to undergo extracapsular tonsillectomy. Data on estimated blood loss, postoperative pain score, operation time, PTH, and the cost of disposable equipment were collected.ResultsCoblation extracapsular tonsillectomy was associated with significantly lower mean pain scores than monopolar technique on postoperative days 1 (p <.001) and 2 (p = 0.02). However, the pain score was similar between the groups at all other time points. The monopolar group had a significantly shorter operation time compared to the coblation group (11.09 ± 7.53 vs. 17.12 ± 4.29 min, p <.001). Intraoperative estimated blood loss was not significantly different between the groups (p = .43).The cost of extracapsular tonsillectomy was significantly lower in the monopolar compared to the coblation group (US$ 28.18 vs. US$ 430.48, p <.001). PTH occurred in 17 patients (5.80%) and required a second surgery. Secondary PTH occurred in 6.16% (9/146) and 0.68% (1/147) of patients in the coblation and monopolar groups, respectively (p <.001). The PTH was significantly higher in the tonsillitis compared to in the tonsillar hypertrophy (12.37% vs. 2.55%, p = .002), However, the difference of PTH was not significant among mean pain scores subgroups. Of the 17 patients with PTH, the lower pole, middle portion, and upper pole were involved in 15 (88.24%), 2 (11.76%), and 0 cases, respectively.ConclusionsCoblation and novel monopolar electrocautery extracapsular tonsillectomy are associated with similar postoperative pain scores except on postoperative days 1 and 2. However, monopolar technique offers significant advantages over coblation method with less operative time, decreased secondary PTH, and cost.Level of Evidence: NA.

Effect of intravascular dexamethasone injection after powered intracapsular tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy in children

PurposeTo compare postoperative pain, nausea and vomiting, and bleeding between intravascular dexamethasone injection group and control group among children undergoing powered intracapsular tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy (PITA). Materials and methodsRetrospective review of medical records was performed for pediatric patients who underwent PITA from March 1, 2017, to February 28, 2021, at a tertiary referral medical center in South Korea. Postoperative pain and nausea were measured using the visual analogue scale (VAS) from the postoperative day (POD) 0 to POD 6. The number of analgesics administered and the number of vomiting episodes were recorded in the same period. The repeatedly measured parameters were statistically analyzed between the dexamethasone group and control group. ResultsA total of 71 children with complete questionnaires including 44 boys and 27 girls were included, and the mean age was 7.49 ± 2.44 years. There were 33 patients in the dexamethasone group and 38 in the control group. Postoperative pain (p = 0.169) or nausea (p = 0.460) on the VAS showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups. Postoperative analgesics showed no difference between the groups (p = 0.398), and neither did postoperative vomiting (p = 0.270). In both groups, no child showed signs of postoperative bleeding. ConclusionsThis study indicates that the beneficial effects of intravascular dexamethasone administration in PITA may not be evident. This might be due to the superior outcome of the PITA technique compared to total extracapsular tonsillectomy. Therefore, otolaryngologists performing PITA may not necessarily need to administer dexamethasone in children before surgery.

POSTOPERATIVE BLEEDING AFTER MICRODEBRIDER-ASSISTED INTRACAPSULAR TONSILLECTOMY AND EXTRACAPSULAR TONSILLECTOMY. A RETROSPECTIVE COHORT STUDY

Introduction: Post-tonsillectomy bleeding is one of the most common complications of tonsillectomy. The rate varies with different methods. Objective: The purpose of the study was to compare the prevalence of postoperative bleeding after total, extracapsular tonsillectomy, and after subtotal, intracapsular, microscope- and microdebrider- assisted tonsillectomy. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed patients who underwent a tonsillectomy in a period of two years. We compared two surgical methods, extracapsular tonsillectomy and microscope- and microdebrider-assisted intracapsular tonsillectomy. Results: Five hundred seventy patients were included in the study. Postoperative hemorrhage occurred in 100 patients (17.5%). By the extracapsular tonsillectomy method, postoperative bleeding was noted in 82 patients (19.7%), while by the intracapsular technique in 18 (11.7%) patients. A return-to-theatre to achieve hemostasis was required in 38 patients (9.1%) and 3 patients (1.9%), respectively. Conclusion: Our study showed a statistically significant lower incidence of post-tonsillectomy bleeding and need to perform revision surgery under general anesthesia to control bleeding after intracapsular tonsillectomy.

Extracapsular versus intracapsular tonsillectomy: Outcomes in children with a focus on developmental delay

IntroductionOutcomes following intracapsular tonsillectomy (IT) have not been well established in children with developmental delays. The objective of this study was to compare outcomes and complications between intracapsular and extracapsular tonsillectomy (TT) in pediatric patients with developmental delay (DD) in comparison to non-developmentally delayed children. MethodsThis is a retrospective study of pediatric patients with DD undergoing tonsillectomy between 2016 and 2019 at a tertiary care hospital. This group included patients with Down Syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorder, other genetic syndromes, and patients with a diagnosis of global developmental delay. Outcomes and complications were analyzed for IT and TT. Results2267 charts were reviewed, and 320 patients were identified with DD. Of those, 72 patients underwent IT and 248 underwent TT. In the DD cohort, the IT group had a shorter length of stay (0.97 vs 1.7 days, p < .0001) and was less likely to receive post-operative narcotic medication (2.8% vs 35%, p < .0001) and corticosteroids (9.7% vs 64%, p < .0001) during their hospital stay. Reductions in emergency room (ER) visits (5.6% vs 10%, p = .21) and post-op bleeding (PTH) (1.4% vs 4.8%, p = .31) for IT vs TT were not statistically significant in the DD group. In the NDD group, fewer patients undergoing IT returned to the ER (11% vs 2.3%, p < .0001) or had PTH (4.8% vs 0.25%, p, 0.0001) as compared to those children undergoing TT. There was no difference between parental report of symptom improvement between the groups (39% vs 33%, p = .39). Analysis of 180 patients with preoperative and postoperative sleep study data revealed post-op Apnea Hypopnea Index (AHI) improved with both techniques (74% TT vs 79% IT, p = .7). There were no differences noted for persistent obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) among the two techniques for both study groups (p = .63). ConclusionChildren with DD undergoing IT have reduced length of stay and reduced inpatient administration of post-operative opioids and steroids. IT has comparable efficacy to TT in treating symptoms of pediatric sleep apnea with a better safety profile. Overall, children undergoing IT return to the operating room less frequently than those undergoing TT. Longer follow-up studies will be needed to evaluate rate of tonsil regrowth, risk of revision surgery and persistence of OSA in these patients.

400 A Comparative Study of Intracapsular &amp; Extracapsular Coblation Paediatric Tonsillectomy in A Tertiary Centre

Abstract Background Intracapsular tonsillectomy has emerged as a novel alternative to traditional tonsillectomy where the tonsillar capsule is left intact with a small amount of overlying tonsillar tissue. There is growing evidence to suggest that intracapsular tonsillectomy is associated with reduced post-operative pain, haemorrhage and readmission rates. The aim of this study was to assess the reported benefits of intracapsular tonsillectomy within the ENT department at a tertiary paediatric hospital. Method Retrospective analysis comparing two cohorts of 72 consecutive paediatric patients undergoing coblation intracapsular and extracapsular tonsillectomy between March-2019 and November-2020. Patient age at procedure, removal of adenoids, indication, surgeon grade, and discharge time were recorded. Post-tonsillectomy bleeding and 30-day readmission rates were used as the main outcome measures. Results The median age in both groups was 5 years. The intracapsular cohort demonstrated a lower 30-day readmission rate (8.3% vs. 15.3%), lower primary (&amp;lt;24 hours) post-op bleed rate (0% vs. 2.78%) and lower secondary (&amp;gt;24hours) post-op bleed rate (4.2% vs. 12.5%) when compared to the extracapsular cohort. Eight cases were conducted as day cases in total, all Intracapsular, with none of these patients requiring readmission within 30 days. Discussion Coblation Intracapsular tonsillectomy is an effective and low-risk alternative to extracapsular techniques. It is hoped with the reduced associated risks and morbidity associated with the procedure, the department can move towards day case tonsillectomy procedures resulting in a reduction in overall healthcare costs and improved patient experience.

Intracapsular coblation tonsillotomy versus extracapsular coblation tonsillectomy

BackgroundRecently, coblation technique is used in many neck surgeries; there are few studies dealing with coblation in the field of tonsillectomy either intracapsular or extracapsular tonsillectomy. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of using coblation in extracapsular tonsillectomy (preserving the capsule) over using it in intracapsular tonsillectomy (total).ResultsThere is statistically difference between results of extracapsular tonsillectomy and intracapsular tonsillectomy as regards postoperative pain according VAS scale (4.36 ± 2.413 vs 3.6 ± 2.041 with p value 0.0001). Also postoperative dietary intake and daily activity all are significantly different in extracapsular tonsillectomy and these differences were recorded after the fifth day.ConclusionExtracapsular coblation tonsillectomy has less morbidity than intracapsular coblation tonsillectomy.