Cold Steel Versus "Hot" BiZact Tonsillectomy; Comparing Post Tonsillectomy Morbidity

Tonsillectomy, with or without adenoidectomy, in both children and adults is worldwide one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures in otorhinolaryngology, and the number is increasing. Alone in Denmark, approximately 8.000 tonsillectomies are performed annually. Although, tonsillectomy on benign indication is considered to be a minor and frequently performed surgical procedure, the operation is associated with significant morbidity. Postoperative pain and post tonsillectomy haemorrhage (PTH) are the most frequent, and PTH is potentially life threatening. In cold steel tonsillectomy, the peritonsillar space is dissected with metal instruments, and bleeding is typically controlled by ligation or electrocautery. This method has been used for the past 50 years, and is considered the \"Gold Standard\". However, new so-called \"hot techniques have been developed. One of these is an impedance-dependent tissue sealer device (BiZactTM). The equipment used for BiZactTM tonsillectomy is EC certificated (CE nr. 00500). The equipment is commonly used for tonsillectomy both internationally and in Denmark, and preliminary results in both adults and children are promising. However, when a gold standard technique is replaced by a new technique, it is recommended that the decision is based on evidence obtained in randomized controlled designs, and preferably as a multicenter study. Within the scope of the CE marking of the equipment, the purpose of the present study is to conduct a randomized controlled trial (RCT) in order to investigate whether tonsillectomy performed with BiZactTM \"hot\" technique is beneficial or at least non-inferior compared to the gold standard cold steel technique in terms of affecting the incidence of post-tonsillectomy morbidity, interoperative factors, patient satisfaction, and health related quality of life.