Treatment Options: Other Surgical

Cold Steel

Tonsil and/or adenoid surgery with a scalpel requires that the patient be asleep. Removal of the tonsils by use of a scalpel is the most common method practiced by otolaryngologists today. The procedure requires young patients to undergo general anesthesia while the tonsils are removed. Generally there is minimal post-operative bleeding.

Electrocautery

Electocautery burns the tonsillar tissue and assists in reducing blood loss through cauterization. Research has shown that the heat generated by electrocautery may result in more discomfort during the postoperative period.

Harmonic scalpel

This medical device uses ultrasonic energy to vibrate its blade at 55,000 cycles per second. Invisible to the naked eye, the vibration transfers energy to the tissue, providing simultaneous cutting and coagulation that reduces bleeding. Proponents of this procedure believe that the end result is precise cutting with minimal thermal damage.

Celon (bipolar) radiofrequency ablation

Radiofrequency thermal ablation transfers radiofrequency energy to the tonsil tissue through probes inserted in the tonsil. The procedure can be performed in an office setting under light sedation or local anesthesia. After the treatment is performed, scarring occurs within the tonsil causing it to decrease in size over a period of several weeks. The treatment can be performed several times. Advantages of this technique include minimal discomfort, ease of operation, and immediate return to work or school. This procedure is recommended for treating enlarged tonsils and not chronic or recurrent tonsillitis.

Coblation (monopolar) radiofrequency ablation

This is the same as above, with the following differences, typically the surgery removes the tonsils completely in one shot and is performed in the hospital under full anesthesia and has less risks of bleeding when compared to cold steel surgery