Bipolar Quantum Molecular Resonance versus Blunt Dissection tonsillectomy.

OBJECTIVES

This study compared a quantum molecular resonance tonsillectomy (QMRT) to a standard blunt dissection tonsillectomy (BDT) for effectiveness and safety.

METHODOLOGY: From January 2011 to September 2012, we recruited 80 children (ages 3 to 16 y) with paediatric obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome and/or recurrent tonsillitis. Patients were randomly assigned to receive QMRT (N = 40) or BDT (N = 40). The operating time and blood loss during surgery were evaluated. During the first postoperative week, the patients' parents completed a questionnaire to evaluate bleeding, ear and neck pain, nausea, vomiting, interrupted sleep, oral liquid intake or discomfort in fluid assumption, and analgesic consumption.

RESULTS

The average tonsillectomy duration was significantly shorter in the QMRT group (22.07 min ± 9.05) than in the BDT group (35.12 min ± 13.32; p < 0.000005). The average blood loss during tonsillectomy was significantly lower for the QMRT group (5.62 ml ± 7.44) than for the BDT group (43 ml ± 33.20; p < 000000001). However, the BDT group reported significantly lower pain scores than the QMRT group on days 2 (p < 0.05), 5 (p < 0.05), and 6 (p < 0.05); on other days, the groups were not significantly different. The BDT group reported two early and one late bleeding episodes; the QMRT group recorded only two late bleeding episodes.

CONCLUSIONS

QMRT significantly reduced the operating time and intra-operative blood loss. No significant differences were found between the two techniques in postoperative pain or bleeding.