Carbon-dioxide laser-assisted tonsil ablation for adults with chronic tonsillitis: a 6-month follow-up study.

Abstract

Sixty-six adult patients with a mean age of 44 years (range: 16-78) with chronic tonsillitis underwent laser-assisted tonsil ablation between January 1998 and January 2002. Instead of vaporization of the tonsil surface, extended serial tonsillectomy was performed, namely, vaporizing 80-90% of the palatine lymphoid tissue. Of the 66 patients, 49 (74%) underwent local anesthesia (LA group) and 17 (26%) general anesthesia (GA group). In the LA group, one surgical session sufficed for 40 patients (82%); two sessions were required for seven patients (14%) and three sessions for two patients (4%). Monopolar electrocautery was necessary to ensure hemostasis in two patients (3%). Median value results revealed a pain-intensity score of 4.5 (range: 0-10) for the GA group and 5 (range: 0-10) for the LA group. Pain lasted for 3 days (range: 0-15) in both groups (nonsignificant difference). A satisfaction score of 10 (range: 1-10) was recorded for the GA group and 8 (range: 1-10) for the LA group (P=0.029). The minimum follow-up was 6 months. Forty of the 49 LA group patients (82%) and 16 of the 17 GA group patients (94%) would recommend the surgical procedure and would accept undergoing the same operation again (nonsignificant difference).

• Authors: Marc Remacle, Jerome Keghian, Georges Lawson, Jacques Jamart
• Journal: European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology : official journal of the European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS) : affiliated with the German Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol) Vol. 260 Issue 8 Pg. 456-9 (Sep 2003) ISSN: 0937-4477 [Print] Germany
• PMID: 12700916 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Carbon Dioxide

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aged
• Anesthesia, General
• Anesthesia, Local
• Carbon Dioxide
• Catheter Ablation (instrumentation)
• Chronic Disease
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Laser Therapy (instrumentation, methods)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Patient Satisfaction
• Tonsillectomy (methods)
• Tonsillitis (surgery)