Pediatric Total Tonsillectomy Using Coblation Compared to Conventional Electrosurgery: A Prospective, Controlled Single-Blind Study

Abstract Objective Postoperative recovery after tonsillectomy using Coblation excision (CES) was compared with conventional electrosurgery (ES). Study design and setting Patients aged 3 to 12 years from 3 clinical sites were randomly assigned and blinded to receive tonsillectomy using CES (n = 44) or ES (n = 45). Results Operative parameters did not differ between groups. Return to normal diet, activity, and pain-free status were similar, although fewer CES patients contacted the physician regarding postoperative complications (33% vs 54%; p = 0.081), experienced nausea (35% vs 62%, p = 0.013), or had localized site-specific swelling ( p p = 0.071) and took one half as many daily doses. More CES than ES parents rated the postoperative experience as ‘better than expected’ (79% vs 60%, p = 0.055). Conclusion and significance Children who received CES tonsillectomy appeared to experience a better quality postoperative course, with no detriment to operative benefits of conventional electrosurgery.