31297
document
Pilot comparison between potassium titanyl phosphate laser and bipolar radiofrequency in paediatric tonsillectomy . OBJECTIVES To compare the advantages and disadvantages of potassium titanyl phosphate laser with those of bipolar radiofrequency techniques , in paediatric tonsillectomy . STUDY DESIGN Prospective , randomised , clinical study . PATIENTS AND METHODS From July 2004 to April 2006 , 80 patients aged between 10 and 15 years , with tonsillectomy planned for chronic tonsillitis , were included in the study . Children were prospectively randomised into two equal groups : potassium titanyl phosphate laser tonsillectomy and bipolar radiofrequency tonsillectomy . Operative time and intra-operative blood loss were recorded . Patients were scheduled for follow up during the first , second and fourth post-operative weeks . They were asked to record their pain and discomfort on a standardised visual analogue scale , from zero ( no pain ) to 10 ( severe pain ) . Post-operative complications were also recorded and managed . RESULTS The potassium titanyl phosphate laser group showed a slightly longer operative time ( mean 12 minutes ) than the bipolar radiofrequency group ( mean 10 minutes ) . Intra-operative blood loss was significantly less in the potassium titanyl phosphate laser group ( mean 21 cm3 ) than in the bipolar radiofrequency group ( mean 30 cm3 ) . In the first week , post-operative pain scores were less in the potassium titanyl phosphate laser group than in the bipolar radiofrequency group ( means 7.5 and 8.5 , respectively ) . However , in the second week pain scores increased more in the potassium titanyl phosphate laser group than in the bipolar radiofrequency group ( means 8.5 and 6 , respectively ) . In the fourth week , both groups showed equal and nearly normal pain scores . No case of reactionary post-tonsillectomy haemorrhage was recorded in either group . Only one case of secondary post-tonsillectomy haemorrhage was recorded , in the potassium titanyl phosphate laser group ( 2.5 per cent ) , managed conservatively . CONCLUSION Both the potassium titanyl phosphate and the bipolar radiofrequency techniques were safe and easy to use for tonsillectomy , with reduced operative time , blood loss and complication rates and better post-operative general patient condition . Potassium titanyl phosphate laser resulted in reduced operative bleeding and immediate post-operative pain , compared with the bipolar radiofrequency technique . However , potassium titanyl phosphate laser required slightly more operative time and caused more late post-operative pain than the bipolar radiofrequency technique . The low rate of recorded complications showed that both techniques cause little damage to the tonsillar bed during dissection , thus minimising complications .
31298
Intervention_Physical
potassium titanyl phosphate laser
31299
Intervention_Physical
bipolar radiofrequency
31300
Intervention_Physical
potassium titanyl phosphate laser
31301
Intervention_Physical
bipolar radiofrequency techniques
31302
Intervention_Surgical
tonsillectomy
31303
Intervention_Physical
potassium titanyl phosphate laser
31304
Intervention_Surgical
tonsillectomy
31305
Intervention_Physical
bipolar radiofrequency
31306
Intervention_Surgical
tonsillectomy
31307
Intervention_Physical
potassium titanyl phosphate laser
31308
Intervention_Physical
potassium titanyl phosphate laser
31309
Intervention_Physical
bipolar radiofrequency
31310
Intervention_Physical
potassium titanyl phosphate laser
31311
Intervention_Pharmacological
potassium titanyl phosphate
31312
Intervention_Physical
bipolar radiofrequency
31313
Intervention_Physical
Potassium titanyl phosphate laser
31314
Intervention_Physical
potassium titanyl phosphate laser
31315
Outcome_Other
longer operative time
31316
Outcome_Physical
Intra-operative blood loss
31317
Outcome_Pain
post-operative pain scores
31318
Outcome_Pain
pain scores
31319
Outcome_Pain
pain scores
31320
Outcome_Adverse-effects
reactionary post-tonsillectomy haemorrhage
31321
Outcome_Adverse-effects
secondary post-tonsillectomy haemorrhage
31322
Outcome_Other
safe
31323
Outcome_Other
easy to use
31324
Outcome_Other
operative time
31325
Outcome_Physical
blood loss
31326
Outcome_Adverse-effects
complication rates
31327
Outcome_Physical
operative bleeding
31328
Outcome_Pain
immediate post-operative pain
31329
Outcome_Other
operative time
31330
Outcome_Pain
late post-operative pain
31331
Participant_Condition
paediatric tonsillectomy .