V. Callanan et al., THE INFLUENCE OF BISMUTH SUBGALLATE AND ADRENALINE PAST UPON OPERATING TIME AND OPERATIVE BLOOD-LOSS IN TONSILLECTOMY, Journal of Laryngology and Otology, 109(3), 1995, pp. 206-208
The aims of this study were to demonstrate the effect of bismuth subga
llate and adrenaline paste application to the tonsillar fossae on oper
ating time and peroperative blood loss during tonsillectomy. Ninety-ei
ght patients were included in a prospective randomized trial. Bismuth
subgallate powder is mixed with 10 ml of normal saline and 0.03 ml of
1:1000 adrenaline to make a paste. This paste is used as topical haemo
static agent during tonsillectomy. Bismuth subgallate activates Factor
XII and therefore accelerates the coagulation cascade. Adrenaline cau
ses vasoconstriction and promotes platelet aggregation. The applicatio
n of bismuth subgallate and adrenaline paste to the tonsillar fossae d
uring tonsillectomy reduces operating time by 23 per cent for Consulta
nt staff (p <0.05) and 32 per cent for Junior staff (p<0.05). Blood lo
ss is reduced by 21 per cent (p>0.05), for the average paediatric tons
illectomy.