Study of Efficacy and Adverse Effects: Vessel Sealing System Tonsillectomy Versus Cold Knife Tonsillectomy

Not Applicable

• Conditions: Tonsillitis; Obstructive Sleep Apnea
• Interventions: Procedure: Vessel Sealing System Tonsillectomy; Procedure: Cold Knife Tonsillectomy

• Registration Number: NCT00636402
• Lead Sponsor: Chulalongkorn University

Brief Summary

This study was planned to compare vessel sealing system tonsillectomy (VSST) to the traditional cold knife tonsillectomy (CKT) with special regard to intraoperative bleeding, operative time, postoperative pain and hemorrhage.

Detailed Description

Tonsillectomy is one of the most common procedures performed by otolaryngologists. Intraoperative bleeding is a significant problem which requires hemostasis and causes prolonged operative time. Several different techniques are used to perform this operation. Efficacy in hemostasis and tissue trauma from different operative techniques may result in different operative time and different degrees of morbidity including intraoperative blood loss, postoperative pain and hemorrhage.

The vessel sealing system has been widely used in head and neck surgery because of its effectiveness and safety. It was also found quite effective and safe in tonsillectomy procedures, providing excellent hemostasis and minimal tissue trauma. This study was planned to compare vessel sealing system tonsillectomy (VSST) to the traditional cold knife tonsillectomy (CKT) with special regard to intraoperative bleeding, operative time, postoperative pain and hemorrhage.

Inclusion criteria are patients planned for tonsillectomy for indications of chronic tonsillitis or obstructive sleep apnea and written informed consent form is given from patient or patient's parents (in case of pediatric patient).

Exclusion criteria are pregnancy, history of bleeding disorders, unilateral tonsillectomy, much different size of both tonsils (If the difference is more than or equal to 2, it will be defined as much different in size in this study), patient unable to understand evaluation method or unable to be contacted via telephone. Outcome measurements are the following.

1. Operative time (minutes) will be started at the time of incision and ended at the time of complete hemostasis. After tonsillectomy on the first side is finished, 5-10 minutes is the lag time before tonsillectomy on the second side will be started in order to observe re-bleeding after operative time is recorded. If there is re-bleeding, the operative time will be changed and measured from the same starting time to the time of last complete hemostasis.

2. Amount of blood loss (milliliter) will be measured from amount of fluid including blood and saliva in the container and gauze. Measurement will be started at the time of incision and ended at the time of complete hemostasis in the same manner of operative time.

3. Pain score, postoperative hemorrhage or other adverse effects that the research assistant will record on post-op day 0-14 by using direct and telephone interview.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2008-03
• Study First Submitted: 2008-03-07
• Study First Submitted QC: 2008-03-07
• Study First Posted: 2008-03-14
• Status Verified: 2008-12
• Primary Completion: 2008-12
• Study Completion: 2008-12
• Last Update Submitted: 2008-12-10
• Last Update Posted: 2008-12-11

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: UNKNOWN
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 20

Inclusion Criteria

• Patient planned for tonsillectomy for indications of chronic tonsillitis or obstructive sleep apnea
• Written informed consent form is given from patient or patient's parents (in case of pediatric patient)

Exclusion Criteria

• Pregnancy
• History of bleeding disorders
• Unilateral tonsillectomy
• Much difference in size of both tonsils (if the difference is more than or equal to 2, it will be defined as much different in size in this study)
• Patient unable to understand evaluation method
• Patient unable to be contacted via telephone

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
1	Vessel Sealing System Tonsillectomy	Vessel Sealing System Tonsillectomy (VSST)
2	Cold Knife Tonsillectomy	Cold Knife Tonsillectomy (CKT)

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Intra-operative time	1 day
Intra-operative blood loss	1 day
Pain, postoperative	14 days

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Postoperative bleeding and other adverse effects	14 days

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Department of Otolaryngology, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital; 🇹🇭 Bangkok, Thailand