A double-blinded randomized controlled trial of coblation versus conventional dissection tonsillectomy on post-operative symptoms

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare postoperative symptoms following coblation tonsillectomy with those experienced following a traditional cold dissection. Design: A prospective randomized controlled trial. Setting: Secondary otorhinolaryngology care. Participants: Ninety-two adult patients with recurrent tonsillitis meriting tonsillectomy were recruited and randomly allocated into either coblation or cold dissection tonsillectomy groups. Main outcome measures: Primary outcomes were post-operative pain, otalgia, swallowing and analgesia use at 6-8 hours, 1, 3, 7 and 14 days post-operative. Secondary outcomes were post-operative day returned to eating and returned to normal activities/work. Results: No significant differences between the two groups (P >= 0.1) were found in any of the above primary outcomes, apart from swallowing at 6-8 hrs post-operatively where the cold dissection group had less pain. This group also returned earlier to normal eating (P = 0.03). The power of the study was sufficient to show a difference in the visual analogue scores of 2 between groups. Conclusions: The use of coblation to perform tonsillectomy does not confer any symptomatic benefits to the patient over conventional cold dissection tonsillectomy.