A Comparison of Pain and Operation Time in Children Undergoing a Tonsillectomy using Different Energy Doses of Bipolar Cautery

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study is to compare the operative time and degree of post-operative pain in children who underwent a tonsillectomy using different energy doses of bipolar cautery and to specify the most appropriate energy dose. Materials and Methods: Patients included in the study were allocated to three groups with 20 in each and each group underwent the operation with 20, 30 and 40 watt energy doses of bipolar cautery. Operative time was recorded for each patient. The Wong-Baker FACES pain rating Scale (WBS) was used in the post-operative period for each patient and the pain severity of the patients was evaluated at post-operative 30th min, 1st, 6th, 24th hours and 10th day. The operative times and pain severity of the patients were compared thereafter. Results: A significant difference was not detected between the groups in which 20, 30 and 40 watt bipolar cautery was used (p>0.05). A significant difference was not detected between groups with regard to pain scores at post-operative 30th min, 1st, 6th, 24th hour and 10th day (p>0.05). Conclusion: We have compared groups with regard to post-operative pain and operative time according to energy dose of bipolar cautery and detected no statistically significant difference in tonsillectomies conducted with different energy doses. Therefore we consider that energy dose should be as low as possible in tonsillectomies conducted with bipolar cautery.