Comparison of Diode Laser Tonsillectomy and Bipolar Cauterization Tonsillectomy

Abstract

Objectives: To compare the outcomes of diode laser tonsillectomy and bipolar cauterization tonsillectomy in terms of intraoperative efficiency, postoperative recovery, and complications.

Methodology: This  prospective comparative study carried out at Rawal Institute of Health Sciences (RIHS), Islamabad from January 2023 to December 2023. A total of 100 patients were randomly selected for the diode laser tonsillectomy procedure and bipolar cauterization tonsillectomy. Various details such as intraoperative parameters, postoperative pain, time to start a normal diet, and the complication/s that ensued were documented and compared.

Results: The mean age of the patients was 26.5±5.2 years, with gender distribution was 50% male and 50% females. Diode laser tonsillectomy resulted in shorter operating time (25.0±5.0 min), decreased blood loss (5.0±2.0 ml), reduced pain score at day 7 (1.5±0.5 points) and faster postoperative recovery than bipolar cauterization (p < 0.001). The frequency of secondary haemorrhage in the diode laser patients (2%) was also noticeably less.

Conclusion: Diode laser tonsillectomy is characterized by fewer post-operative complications, shorter time of treatment, and faster healing compared to classical methods of tonsillectomy due to high cost it is not popular.