Aim: To compare bipolar diathermy and suture ligation for hemostasis in tonsillectomy in terms of the amount of blood loss, number of ligatures applied, average time taken and incidence of postoperative hemorrhage

Methods: Randomized controlled trial conducted in the Department of ENT, Shaikh Zayed Hospital, Lahore for a period of one year from July 17, 2017 to July 16, 2018. 66 patients were enrolled. Informed consent and demographic information was taken from all the patients. Patient himself was the control and the trial. One tonsil was treated with bipolar diathermy technique (group A) for haemostasis and other with ligation technique (Group B). Both the tonsil side and the technique were randomized. The outcome in both groups was noted. All the collected data was entered and analyzed on SPSS version 22.

Results: The mean age of the patients was 12.39±7.41 years; male to female ratio was 0.8:1.The mean haemostasis time in group A was 10.62±1.76 minutes whereas in group B patients was 14.32±2.81 minutes. The mean blood loss in group A patients was 28.015±8.619 ml whereas in group B patients was 42.82±13.360 ml. The incidence of post-operative hemorrhage was zero for both bipolar diathermy and suture ligation, which shows the safety of both procedures.

Conclusion: Bipolar diathermy is safe, effective, easier and faster technique for haemostasis in tonsillectomy than surure ligation.

Keywords: Tonsillectomy, Bipolar Diathermy, Suture Ligation