Can we improve clinical results of tonsillectomy using lasers?

Current medicine uses a variety of high-tech devices to obtain maximum results with minimally invasive procedures. our goal was to determine the benefits of laser medicine in tonsillectomy in comparison with traditional tonsillectomy,harmonic scalpel and radio frequency scalpel. forty adult patients with chronic tonsillitis,scheduled for bilateral tonsillectomy,were divided into four groups in a prospective study. the left side tonsillectomy was performed using a traditional technique. the right side tonsillectomy was performed using four different methods: ho:yag laser,er,cr:ysgg laser,radiofrequency scalpel and harmonic scalpel. peroperative bleeding and operation time were evaluated by the surgeon,development of pain during the healing period was evaluated by the patients and also histological examination of the resecates was performed. the results showed a significant increase of postoperative pain after the ho:yag and er,cr:ysgg laser procedure in comparison to traditional tonsillectomy. no significant differences in postoperative pain were found after the use of radiofrequency scalpel and harmonic scalpel. average operation time and peroperative bleeding differed partiallyin all methods.inconclusion,all the tested methods offer a safe,uncomplicated alternative to traditional tonsillectomy; however,they do not bring any substantial benefit for the patient in reduction of pain during the postoperative period. © 2015 faculty of health and social studies,university of south bohemia in ceske budejovice. published by elsevier sp. z o.o. all rights reserved.