Comparative Study of CO2 LASER Assisted and Electrocautery Assisted Tonsillectomy with Conventional Tonsillectomy.

Tonsillectomy is the most common surgical procedure performed since many years. Various methods of tonsillectomy (Electrocautery, LASER, Harmonic scalpel, Coblation) have been practiced over the last century aiming for reducing intra and postoperative morbidity. We carried out prospective randomized control study using retrospective data as secondary data to compare blood loss, excision and hemostasis time, pain, recovery time and complication between CO₂ LASER and Electrocautery assisted with conventional method. Average time for surgery with CO₂ LASER (82.17 min) was more than conventional (77.77 min) and electrocautery (21.40 min) was least. The postoperative pain and recovery time was more in CO₂ LASER and Electrocautery group than conventional. The blood loss was more in conventional group compared to other two group. We concluded that CO₂ LASER group has longest operative time but least blood loss. Postoperative pain was more and lasted longer in Electrocautery group. Conventional method had least recovery time, least tissue reaction and least hospital stay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]