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Less
Painful Tonsillectomy Procedure for Kids Under Study at The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary
New York, NY (November 2003) -- About 100 kids in New York have received a far less painful procedure to remove their tonsils in the past eight months. It is called coblation tonsillectomy and uses “cool” radio frequency waves (about 70 degrees C) versus the standard procedure of electrocautery (400 degrees and more degrees C).
Jay Dolitsky, M.D., pediatric otolaryngologist at The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary who is conducting a study on post operative tonsillectomy pain, no longer uses
electrocautery. He says that coblation is just as effective and the post-op pain so minimal that he rarely gets calls from parents in the days following the procedure, whereas with the electrocautery procedure many parents were calling about terrible post-op pain in their child’s throat for over a week.
Coblation works by using radiofrequency waves to gently heat up a saline solution that breaks down the tonsil tissue into gases. Dr. Dolitsky uses the procedure to perform complete tonsillectomies. Most childhood tonsils are removed because they are too large for the airway, causing sleep disturbances, including apnea. The device is a product of
ArthroCare.
Parents interested in more information about the procedure or New York Eye and Ear Infirmary-affiliated physicians are invited to call the Information & Referral Line at 212-979-4472.
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