Original Article

Tonsillectomy Using the Colorado Microdissection Needle: A Prospective Series and Comparative Technique Review

Authors: Benjamin Rideout, MSIV, Gary Y. Shaw MD, FACS

Abstract

Tonsillectomy remains one of the most common surgical procedures performed worldwide. Recent advancements in equipment technology have ushered in several new tonsillectomy techniques. Among these is the Colorado tip electromicrodissection needle. In this report, we describe the technical aspects of this modality and report our results in a prospective study of 12 adults and 13 children. We then compare our results with several published series using a variety of techniques. We found tonsillectomy using the electromicrodissection needle compares most favorably in all criteria examined, including operative and perioperative blood loss, perioperative pain, return to regular diet, and cost. We conclude that electromicrodissection tonsillectomy is an excellent option for all surgeons performing tonsillectomy.


Despite being originally described by Celsus more than 2,000 years ago 1 and performed more than 500,000 times per year in the United States, 2 the optimal method for tonsillectomy is still hotly debated. The literature in the last decade has focused on a variety of techniques using various modalities, including cold steel, electrocautery, bipolar forceps, bipolar scissors, argon beam coagulator, carbon dioxide laser, potassium-titanyl-phosphate (KTP) laser, and coblation, to name a few. The paramount goal in nearly all published studies is to be able to perform tonsillectomy in a efficacious fashion with minimal blood loss, with few perioperative complications, while incurring little postoperative pain. Rarely mentioned but certainly significant in this commonly performed procedure is the cost for each modality. The goal of this prospective study was to compare the use of the Colorado tip electromicrodissection needle to other recently studied modalities.

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