Comparison of Surgical Complications between Local Tonsillectomy and Tonsillectomy under General Anaesthesia

Tonsillectomy is performed when there is obstruction in the upper respiratory tract or following recurrent chronic infections of the tonsils. It can be performed under local or general anaesthesia. The aim of the present study was to compare the complications that develop following these two methods. Subjects and In this prospective clinical study, the side effects associated with both methods were evaluated among 300 co-operative teenagers and adult patients (150 patients in local tonsillectomy and the same number of patients for tonsillectomiy under general anaesthesia).Post operative pain, amount of bleeding both during and after the operation and patient satisfaction were assessed and compared. Local tonsillectomies were performed in the operating room using local anaesthesia with intravenous sedation. The average blood loss during the operation was 68 ml in local tonsillectomy group with two cases of postoperative haemorrhage, while the average blood loss was 180 ml with four cases of postoperative haemorrhage in the general anaesthesia group. No significant differences in the post-operative bleeding was noted between the two groups. In local tonsillectomy group all patients but one stated that if given the choice, they would select local anaesthesia again. We conclude that local tonsillectomies have high patient acceptance and are associated with minimal morbidity and complications. The safety and effectiveness of local tonsillectomy in comparison with tonsillectomy under general anaesthesia was demonstrated.