Ultrasonic tonsillectomy

High-frequency ultrasound is an effective mechanism for cutting and coagula ting tissue. It is widely used in laparoscopic surgery and may have advanta ges in tonsillectomy. Twenty-five consecutive cases of tonsillectomy were p erformed using an ultrasonic scalpel; these were compared with a similar pr evious consecutive group performed by conventional cold dissection and mono polar electrocautery. There was no undue primary bleeding in either group a nd no immediate or late postoperative bleeding. Since adenoidectomy was oft en performed and the total blood loss in each group was so small, no statis tical difference could be determined between the groups. No complications w ere noted in either group. The ultrasonic scalpel has the potential to prod uce a bloodless tonsillectomy and less collateral tissue damage and is easy to use. There may be less postoperative pain, although this could not be s hown statistically in this retrospective study. Ultrasonic tonsillectomy ap pears to be a safe, and possibly a superior, method of performing this comm on operation.