Coblation tonsillectomy under surgical microscopy: A retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: A retrospective study to compare surgical parameters and postoperative pain in patients undergoing coblation tonsillectomy with or without microscopic guidance.

METHODS: Data regarding duration of surgery and hospital stay, intraoperative blood loss, incidence of haemorrhage and postoperative pain scores were retrieved from the medical records of adult patients undergoing coblation tonsillectomy under direct vision or with microscopic guidance.

RESULTS: The incidence of secondary haemorrhage (>24 h postoperatively) was significantly lower and the duration of hospital stay was significantly shorter in the microscope group (n = 92) than the direct vision group (n = 76). Pain scores both at rest and while swallowing reached ≤3 (no significant impact on quality-of-life) significantly faster in the microscope group than the direct vision group.

CONCLUSIONS: Microscope-assisted coblation tonsillectomy decreases the duration of hospital stay and the incidence of postoperative secondary haemorrhage, and results in an early improvement in postoperative pain scores.