Background: Tonsillectomy by CO(2) laser microsurgery is an almost bloodless procedure that has developed to an alternative to traditional dissection tonsillectomy during recent years. It has been suggested that the laser technique more precise than the conventional one, however, attempts to investigate this morphologically have not yet been undertaken. In addition, there is a need for large clinical studies to compare the postoperative bleeding risk of both procedures.
Methods: The charts of 617 patients who underwent routine tonsillectomy between 1995 and 1998 at the ENT department of Darmstadt Hospital, were retrospectively investigated with regard to postoperative bleeding events. A total of 467 patients were treated by the conventional technique and 150 by CO(2) laser microsurgery (continuous mode, 5 W). Moreover, 2 mm serial sections of tonsils of 56 consecutive patients treated in 1999 (31 conventional and 25 laser tonsillectomies) were used to determine peritonsillar (Vp) and tonsillar tissue volumes (Vt).
Results: The postoperative bleeding risk following laser tonsillectomy differed slightly from that following the conventional technique (12.0% vs 14.6%; P=0.499; Fisher's exact test). However, the incidence of severe bleeding events requiring revision in general anesthesia was significantly reduced (0.7% vs 4.9%; P=0.015; Fisher's exact test). Tonsillar specimens that were removed by laser surgery contained significantly less peritonsillar tissue than those from conventional procedures (Vp/Vt 5.1%+/-0.6% vs 10.8%+/-1.1%; P below 0.001; Mann-Whitney U-test).
Conclusion: CO(2) laser microsurgery improves the precision of tonsillectomy and provides a maximum protection for the peritonsillar tissue. The incidence of severe bleeding events is markedly reduced. Laser tonsillectomy is therefore recommended for patients with clotting disorders or those requiring a particularly exact preparation technique.