Bipolar scissor tonsillectomy

We describe a new technique for tonsillectomy using dual-function scissors that cut and bipolar coagulate at the same time. The technique shortens ope rating time and decreases intra-operative blood loss. Forty patients had th eir tonsillectomy performed using this technique. The mean operating time w as 5.5 min (SD 2.1) and mean blood loss was 1.3 ml (SD 3.6). All patients w ere able to eat and drink on the same postoperative day and all were discha rged the following morning. None of the patients had primary haemorrhages a nd two patients (5%) had minor secondary haemorrhages. We found bipolar sci ssor tonsillectomy to be a safe technique that shortens surgery and minimis es blood loss without causing increased postoperative morbidity.