CO2 laser tonsillectomy: A comparison with conventional technique

Objective: To define the advantage and disadvantage of Co-2 laser tonsillectomy compared with conventional method. Material and Method: One hundred patients age 5-15 underwent tonsillectomy. One tonsil was removed with the Co-2 laser and the other was excised with conventional dissection and snare technique. Patients were not told which tonsil was removed with laser. Intraoperative blood loss, operation time, pain and healing were compared for two methods. Results: In Co-2 laser tonsillectomy, there was a significantly reduction in operation time (5vs11.3 minutes P<0.05) and a significant reduction in intraoperative blood loss (5vs15ml P<0.005). There was no significant difference in immediate and late post tonsillectomy hemorrhage, post operative pain, character of leukocytic membrane separation, epithelialzation and final cicatrisation between two groups. Conclusion: Co-2 laser tonsillectomy reduces operation time and intraoperative blood loss.