Coblation-Assissted Tonsillectomy in Hospital University Sains, Malaysia: A Case Report

Khaled Ali Othrub Department of ENT-HNS, General Military Hospital, Sana, a City-Yemen Correspondence to: Khaled Ali Othrub, dr.ent7@yahoo.com

Abstract

Introduction
Innovative new techniques in ENTHNS to resect tonsillar tissue have
been described in the recent literature.
We report the first case of a patient
who underwent surgery for palatine
tonsils removal (tonsillectomy)
utilizing coblation method under
general anesthesia in the hospital of
University Sains Malaysia (USM).
Coblation is a method used by ENT
surgeons to perform tonsillectomy,
adenoidectomy and other surgical
procedures. Coblation method use
radiofrequency ablation (RFA) as a
form of energy similar to radio waves
energy but with a higher frequency.
Using a newly developed technology
in ENT surgical procedures as a
Coblation method to remove palatine
tonsils results in significantly less postoperative pain and a quicker return to
normal eating and activity than other
conventional methods.
In addition to the advantages of this
method during tissue resection,
coblation causes minimal harm to
healthy tissue and less incidence to
postoperative nausea and throat
swelling.¹ˉ³
Case presentation
A 12 years old patient Malay female
was electively admitted to
otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck
surgery, Hospital University Sains
Malaysia for adenotonsilectomy and
bilateral myringotomy and grommet
insertion. The patient initially was
referred to department for hearing loss.
PTA and Tympanometry were done
with bilateral conductive hearing loss.
The finding after physical examination
was documented as allergic rhinitis and
chronic hypertrophy of palatine tonsils
grade III. Adenoid hypertrophy was
also documented by
rhinopharyngoscopy. Patient was
underwent for tonsillectomy using
coblation method. This case of
coblation-assissted tonsillectomy is the
first surgical procedure to remove
palatine tonsils using radiofrequency
ablation technique (RFA) ―coblation‖
in our center.
The patient reported minimum
discomfort on postoperative day 1,
which was managed with pain killer
only.