A Comparative Study of Patients Undergoing Tonsillectomy Using the Cold Steel Dissection Method and Electrocautery Technique.

Aim The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes and complications in patients undergoing tonsillectomy using the cold steel dissection method and electrocautery technique. Materials and methods A prospective observational study was conducted including 350 patients undergoing tonsillectomy in the ENT Department of a tertiary care hospital who met specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data of patients were collected using a predesigned proforma. Intraoperative outcomes such as the duration of surgery (in minutes) and intraoperative blood loss (in milliliters) were measured, and preoperative and postoperative outcomes such as pain scores at 24 hours and at day 3 and postoperative hemorrhage were also measured. These parameters were analyzed to compare the efficacy and safety of tonsillectomy using the conventional cold steel dissection method and electrocautery technique. Results Among the 350 patients, 170 were male, with a mean age of 17.66 years. A comparison of study variables between the two groups showed a statistically significant (P< 0.05) difference in the duration of surgery, intraoperative blood loss, and 24 hours and day 3 postoperative pain scores for the cold steel dissection method and electrocautery method. Only two patients experienced bleeding complications after surgery, and the incidence of postoperative hemorrhage was not significantly different between the two techniques. Conclusion In our study, tonsillectomy using the electrocautery technique was advantageous in terms of shorter postoperative recovery time and reduced intraoperative blood loss. However, patients who underwent tonsillectomy using the electrocautery technique experienced slightly more postoperative pain compared to those who underwent the procedure using the cold steel dissection method.