Silk Ligation vs. Bipolar Diathermy for Haemostasis in Tonsillectomy – A Comparative Study

Abstract Tonsillectomy is a commonly performed surgical procedure. There are several operative methods but the superiority of one over the other has not been clearly demonstrated. The aim of the study was to compare the morbidity associated with Tonsillectomy using two different techniques for haemostasis-silk ligation versus diathermy This was a comparative study at ENT department of North-East Medical College Hospital, Sylhet, Bangladesh from January 2010 to January 2014, where 500 patients were enrolled in this study. The result of the two groups i.e. Tonsillectomy using silk ligation or diathermy for haemostasis was studied. Tonsillectomy of patients were performed: 64% male and 36% female. The mean operation time was 25 minutes with bipolar diathermy as compared to 30 minutes with silk ligation, analgesic required during the first 24 hours post operatively wax equal with both techniques. Primary hemorrhage was noticed in 18 patients (7.2%) with bipolar diathermy haemostasis as compared to 32 (12.8%) patients with silk ligation. Secondary bleeding was encountered in 14. (5.6%) patients with bipolar diathermy and in 12 (4.8%) patients with silk ligation. Less operative time was taken by bipolar diathermy as compared to silk ligation The incidence of primary post-operative bleeding was more with silk ligation while the secondary hemorrhage was silk ligation. Keywords: Tonsillectomy, Silk ligation, Bipolar-diathermy