The effect of electrocautery versus cold scalpel technique on the incidence of early postoperative tonsillar pillar dehiscence after uvulopalatopharyngoplasty with tonsillectomy.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: The objective was to determine the effect of electrocautery versus cold scalpel technique on the incidence of early postoperative tonsillar pillar dehiscence after uvulopalatopharyngoplasty with tonsillectomy.

STUDY

DESIGN

Prospective, randomized, matched-pair trial of patients undergoing uvulopalatopharyngoplasty with tonsillectomy.

METHODS

Patients undergoing uvulopalatopharyngoplasty with tonsillectomy were randomly assigned to have the procedure performed with cold scalpel technique or with electrocautery. Thirty-three patients were enrolled. Twenty-seven patients returned for postoperative evaluation.

RESULTS

The overall incidence of tonsillar pillar dehiscence was 38.8%. The incidence of dehiscence was 44.4% in the electrocautery group and 33.3% in the cold dissection group.

CONCLUSION

Preliminary data suggest that the use of electrocautery is not associated with an increase incidence of wound dehiscence compared with cold dissection. Tonsillar pillar dehiscence rate is high, regardless of dissection method.