Intracapsular Tonsillectomy in Adults

Intracapsular vs Extracapsular Tonsillectomy. A Comparison of Treatment Methods of Recurrent and Chronic Tonsillitis in Adults: a Prospective Single-blinded Randomised Study

Comparing the classical extracapsular tonsillectomy (TE) performed with electrosurgery to intracapsular approaches (SIPT) by coblation or microdebrider. The patient group is adults with recurrent or chronic tonsillitis

Extracapsular tonsillectomy (TE) with monopolar electrosurgery is the most commonly used approach in adult tonsil surgery in Turku University Central Hospital, Finland.

In our study setting we are comparing intracapsular tonsillectomy (subtotal/intracapsular/partial tonsillectomy (SIPT) ) as the intervention group with extracapsular tonsillectomy as the control group.

SIPT is done with either coblation or microdebrider and TE with monopolar electrosurgery.

Indications for surgery are recurrent tonsillitis or chronic tonsillitis. The patient group is adults (16-65 years)

Safety, efficiency and cost-effectiveness are monitored in a prospective, patient-blinded and randomised study setting.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 16-65 years
• Planned tonsil surgery with informed consent
• Recurrent or chronic tonsillitis

Exclusion Criteria:

• Less than 1 month old, drained quinsy
• Acute "hot phase" tonsillitis
• Previous palatine tonsil surgery
• Suspicion or confirmation of malignancy
• High dose analgesics consumption
• Current CPAP-device usage for treatment of OSAS
• Untreated gastro-esophageal reflux disease
• Anticoagulative medication
• Any condition of hemophilia
• Pregnancy, lactation
• Current or positive history of malignant disease (if still active follow-up)