Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-t8hqh Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-25T19:44:18.716Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Diathermy haemostasis at tonsillectomy: Current practice—A survey of U.K. otolaryngologists

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2007

G. E. Murty*
Affiliation:
Newcastle upon Tyne
M. G. Watson
Affiliation:
Newcastle upon Tyne
*
ENT Department, Freeman Hospital, High Heaton, Newcastle upon Tyne NE7 7DN

Abstract

The use of diathermy in achieving haemostasis at tonsillectomy was assessed by means of a postal questionnaire sent to consultant otolaryngologists practising in the U.K. A response of 81 per cent was obtained. Forty-four per cent presently use diathermy. Few considered the age of the patient or a history of a quinsy a contraindication to its use. The diathermy experience of users and non-users with regard to speed, postoperative pain and haemorrhage differs markedly. This dichotomy of opinion is confirmed by a review of the literature. Clearly there is a need for further studies to clarify the role of diathermy in tonsillectomy.

Type
Main Articles
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 1990

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Billroth, T. (1870) Tonsillectomy. Lancet, 2: 747.Google Scholar
Ball, C. E. (1948) Nasal and post-operative tonsil and adenoid hemorrhage. Prevention and control. Texas State Journal of Medicine, 44: 437440.Google ScholarPubMed
Carmody, D., Vamadevan, T., Cooper, S. M. (1982) Post-tonsillectomy haemorrhage. Journal of Laryngology and Otology, 96: 635638.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Cohen, L. (1909) Post-operative tonsillar bleeding. Its surgical control, with mention of cases. Journal of the American Medical Association, 53: 698701.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
de Santi, P. R. W. (1894) Haemorrhage following tonsillectomy; its causes and appropriate treatment. Lancet, 1: 8386.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ellegood, J. A. (1898) The treatment of chronic inflammation of the tonsils. Journal of the American Medical Association, 30: 593594.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gardner, J. F. (1968) Sutures and disasters in tonsillectomy. Archives of Otolaryngology, 88: 551555.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Haase, F. R., Noguera, J. T. (1962) Haemostasis in tonsillectomy by electrocautery. Archives of Otolaryngology, 75: 125126.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Jackson, C. (1907) Tonsillar haemorrhage and its surgical treatment. Annals of Surgery, 46: 821825.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Jay, H. M. (1926) Factors contributing to the occurrence of haemorrhage in tonsillectomy. Journal of Laryngology and Otology, 41: 2831.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Johnson, F. (1962) Electrocautery in tonsil and adenoid surgery. Archives of Otolaryngology, 75: 127129.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
MacKenzie, I. J., Johnson, A. P., Maran, A. G. D. (1983) Prospective study of pain and haemorrhage following tonsillectomy. Clinical Otolaryngology, 8: 366.Google Scholar
Maniglia, A. J., Kushner, H., Cozzi, L. (1989) Adenotonsillectomy—a safe outpatient procedure? Archives of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, 115: 9294.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
McAuliffe Curtin, J. (1987) The history of tonsil and adenoid surgery. Otologic Clinics of North America, 20: 415419.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Moore, I. (1918) Haemorrhage following removal of the tonsils, and its treatment. Practitioner, 1: 334361.Google Scholar
Papangelou, L. (1972) Haemostasis in tonsillectomy. A comparison of electrocoagulation and ligation. Archives of Otolaryngology, 96: 358360.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Phillipps, J. J., Thornton, A. R. D. (1989) Tonsillectomy haemostasis: diathermy or ligation. Clinical Otolaryngology, 14: 419424.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Proctor, D. F., Douglass, C. C. (1958) Bleeding following tonsil and adenoid operations. Transactions of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology, 62: 592597.Google ScholarPubMed
Pynchon, E. (1898) The submerged tonsil. Annals of Otology, Rhinology and Laryngology, 7: 649655.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Reed, K., Snider, C. J. (1974) Bipolar forceps for electrocautery in tonsillectomy. Transactions of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology, 78: 285286.Google ScholarPubMed
Roy, A., de la Rosa, C., Vecchio, Y. A. (1976) Bleeding following tonsillectomy: a study of electrocoagulation and ligation techniques. Archives of Otolaryngology, 102: 910.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Seltzer, A. P. (1969) Control of tonsillar haemorrhage: Use of a new cellulose material. Journal of the National Medical Association, 61: 333334.Google ScholarPubMed
Siodlak, M. Z., Gleeson, M. J., Wengraf, C. L. (1985) Post-tonsillectomy secondary haemorrhage. Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons, 67: 167168.Google ScholarPubMed
Weighill, J. S., Proops, D. W., Jeffries, D., Brandrick, J. (1986) Pain relief following tonsillectomy (Does sewing the faucial pillars together help?) Journal of Laryngology and Otology, 100: 307310.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed