Molecular resonance tonsillectomy in children: comparative study over standard techniques in an 11-year study.

OBJECTIVES

Learn the molecular resonance (MR) technology for tonsillectomy. An analysis of outcomes of MR compared to standard cold-knife (CK) and monopolar cautery (MPC) for pediatric tonsillectomy offers new possibilities, lowering postoperative morbidity.

STUDY

DESIGN

Eleven-year, prospective, randomized, 3-group trial.

SETTING

Tertiary care pediatric institution.

SUBJECTS AND

METHODS

Eight hundred and seventy-three children undergoing adenotonsillectomy were randomly assigned to MR (n = 283), CK (n = 279), or MPC (n = 279) techniques. Outcome measures included intraoperative time, blood loss, postoperative pain, weight loss, and histopathologic examination on excised tonsils.

RESULTS

Histopathologic evaluation revealed reduced thermal injury with MR over MPC (43 µm vs 186, P < .001), statistically associated with reduced muscular, blood vessel, and nerve fiber damage compared to CK (P < .001). Blood loss was minimal in MR. Significant reduced pain scores were related to MR (P < .002). Two MR, 15 CK, and 12 MPC patients experienced delayed bleeding.

CONCLUSION

MR for pediatric tonsillectomy resulted in reduced histopathologic thermal injury, lower pain scores, and reduced postoperative morbidity compared with CK and MPC techniques in an 11-year study.