Post-tonsillectomy pain after using bipolar diathermy scissors or the harmonic scalpel: a randomised blinded study

OBJECTIVE: To compare the postoperative pain following bipolar diathermy scissors tonsillectomy (higher temperature dissection) with harmonic scalpel tonsillectomy (lower temperature dissection). METHODS: Sixty patients aged 7–40 years planned for tonsillectomy with no other concurrent surgery were randomised to either bipolar diathermy scissors or harmonic scalpel as surgical technique. Blinded to the surgical technique, the patients recorded their pain scores (VAS, 0–10) at awakening and the worst pain level of the day in the postoperative period. All intake of pain medication was also recorded. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were found between the two groups regarding postoperative pain levels or consumption of pain medication. CONCLUSION: Usage of the harmonic scalpel does not render less postoperative pain following tonsillectomy when compared with usage of the bipolar diathermy scissors.