Effect of Tonsillar Pillar Closure on Postoperative Pain and Bleeding Risk After Tonsillectomy

Effect of Tonsillar Pillar Closure on Postoperative Pain and Bleeding Risk After Tonsillectomy

The purpose of this study is to determine if closing the tonsil fossa after tonsillectomy leads to less pain and bleeding risk than leaving it open to heal by secondary intention.

After induction of appropriate general anesthesia, a tonsillectomy was performed and control of bleeding was achieved as is routine for the individual Otolaryngologist performing the procedure. Next the surgeon used 3-0 chromic (absorbable) sutures on tapered needles to close one tonsillar fossa but leave the tonsillar fossa on the other side open. The side chosen was determined by a computer generated schedule. Routine postoperative care was given.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Any patient for whom tonsillectomy is recommended for recurrent pharyngitis, obstructive sleep disorder, snoring, halitosis, feeding difficulty associated with adenotonsillar hypertrophy, and who in the investigator's opinion, is capable of providing reliable responses to post-operative follow-up questions as defined in this protocol.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Any patient for whom tonsillectomy is recommended for suspected malignancy or active peritonsillar abscess