Objective: To compare bipolar diathermy and suture ligation for haemostasis in tonsillectomy in terms of the

amount of blood loss, number of ligatures applied, average time taken and incidence of postoperative

haemorrhage.

Study Design: Randomized controlled trial

Place and Duration of Study: Multicenter study conducted in ENT Surgery Departments/Units of Public and

Private Sector Hospitals of Lahore from 1st July 2017 to 31st July 2018.

Methodology: Sixty six patients were enrolled. Informed consent and demographic information was takenfrom all

the patients. Patient himself was the control and the trial. One tonsil was treated with ligation technique (Group A)

and other with bipolar diathermy technique (Group B). Both the tonsil side and the technique were randomized.

The outcome in both groups was noted.

Results: The mean age was 12.39±7.41 years and male to female ratio was 0.8:1. The mean haemostasis time

in group A was 14.32±2.81 minutes whereas in group B patients it was 10.62±1.76 minutes. The mean blood loss

in group A patients was 42.82±13.360 ml whereas in group B patients was 28.015±8.619 ml. The incidence of

post-operative haemorrhage 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 ligation technique

Keywords: Tonsillectomy, Bipolar Diathermy, Ligation Technique