A Comparative Study of Suture Legation versus Electrocoagulation on Tonsillectomy

Hemorrhage is one of the most common complications of the tonsillectomy that needs accurate intraoperative control. Different techniques are used for its control. The present study was carried out to compare the hemostasis efficiency of electro coagulation with that of suture legation following tonsillectomy operations under identical conditions. The prospective study from 2004-2006 was done on 100 patients. Homeostasis was done by suture legations on one side and bipolar diathermy electro coagulation on the other, in the same patients. Then we compared the length of operation, volume of intra-operative hemorrhage, post-operative pain, immediate and late post operative hemorrhage. All of operations were done by the same surgery team and all of data were analyzed in SPSS 14 by paired T-test and Macnemar. In our series of 100 patients, the mean length of operative time was 8.6 minutes for hemostasis by bipolar electrocoagulation procedure, and 11.3 minutes for suture legation (P< 0.005). Intraoperative blood loss volume by electro coagulation were 9.6cc and by suture legation 12.7 cc (P< 0.005). In 88 patients no difference was in post operative pain but in 7 patients suture legation site had more pain and in 5 patients bipolar caused more pain. With CI 95% there was no significant difference between them. Electrocoagulation was found to be more effective, easier, and faster than suture legation. Therefore, we recommend this type of hemostasis for children whose length of operation and volume of blood loss is important for them.