In reference to histologic assessment of thermal injury to tonsillectomy specimens: a comparison of electrocautery, coblation, harmonic scalpel, and tonsillotome.

摘要

Dear Editor:The recent paper by Modi et al. titled "Histologic Assessment of Thermal Injury to Tonsillectomy Specimens: A Comparison of Electrocautery, Coblation, Harmonic Scalpel, and Tonsillotome," which discusses the presence of skeletal muscle in tonsillectomy specimens and the extent of thermal injury related to the use of needle-point electrocautery, coblation wand, harmonic scalpel, and tonsillotome, supports the need for precision in dissecting the tonsil from its fossa. The relative size of the tips of instruments affects their dissection properties (Fig. 1). A finer tip can give greater precision in dissection and can also affect the dispersion characteristics of the energy used to perform the dissection. The implication of this for tonsillectomy is that greater precision in dissecting the tonsil from the underlying muscle can potentially lead to less post-operative discomfort. For those surgeons who choose to use an electrocautery technique for tonsillectomy, the greater precision of the Colorado microdissection needle may enhance their results.