Coblation® intracapsular tonsillectomy (tonsillotomy) in children: A prospective study of 500 consecutive cases with long‐term follow‐up

• DOI: 10.1111/coa.12849
• Publication Date: 2017-02-15T13:26:58Z
• Authors: A.W. Hoey; N.M. Foden; S. Hadjisymeou An...; F. Noonan; A.K. Chowdhury; S.R. Greig; E.L. Sproson; D. Allin; N. Amin; K.M. Wouters; N.E. Jonas; D.J. Tweedie
• Keywords: Tonsil

Objectives Intracapsular tonsillectomy (tonsillotomy) has been used internationally, mainly in the management of obstructive sleep apnoea, rather than recurrent tonsillitis, with few published data evaluating its use for this latter indication. We present long‐term prospective from 500 paediatric cases undergoing Coblation ® intracapsular tonsillectomy, both and infective indications. Design Prospective case series, March 2013‐January 2016, all completed follow‐up. Setting Tertiary otolaryngological practice. Participants A total consecutive patients (6 months to 18 years, mean 5.1 years) (with or without adenoidectomy), and/ indications, almost exclusively under care senior author (DJT). Main outcome measures Validated parent‐reported T‐14 tonsil symptom questionnaires were pre‐ postoperatively, including long term. Parents also recorded duration analgesia, time return school, any complications whether they would recommend procedure. Results With a follow‐up 7.4 months, control excellent (mean score (/70) 31.01 preoperatively, 2.68 P <.0000001), similar trends domains. Two small secondary haemorrhages required readmission observation only (0.4%); otherwise, no complications, delayed discharges readmissions occurred; 12/500 (2.4%) have since undergone revision surgery, 10 2 symptoms, majority very young children, adenoidectomy at same time. More 99% parents surgery. Conclusions Our experience technique positive, exceptionally low rates complications. Further work will be allow conclusive demonstration advantages over extracapsular tonsillectomy.