PEDIATRIC TONSILLECTOMY WITH BIPOLAR ELECTROSURGICAL SCISSORS

Purpose: The optimal technique for pediatric tonsillectomy remains a h otly debated topic. The speed and superior hemostatic properties of el ectrosurgical dissection must be weighed against the greater tissue pr eservation and more rapid healing of cold dissection techniques. Mater ials and Methods: We have used a new surgical device, bipolar electros urgical scissors, in 30 consecutive pediatric tonsillectomies. This in strument provides mechanical cutting with or without simultaneous bipo lar electrocoagulation. Results: The average surgical time was 6 minut es. There was no intraoperative blood loss. There were no immediate or late post-tonsillectomy hemorrhages. All tonsillar fossae were comple tely healed at 2-week follow-up. Conclusion: Bipolar electrosurgical s cissors provide the best properties of both cold dissection and electr osurgical tonsillectomy without increasing surgical time or cost. Copy right (C) 1998 by W.B. Saunders Company.