Annalisa Pace, Giannicola Iannella, Giuseppe Magliulo
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Purpose
Although tonsillectomy is a common otolaryngological procedure renowned for its ease and safety, it is associated with various complications such as hemorrhage, dysphagia, pain, and infection. Post-tonsillectomy bleeding, especially secondary bleeding, poses a significant risk, with mortality rates reported as 5% of cases. Various techniques have been proposed to mitigate these risks, including the closure of the tonsillar fossa to prevent hemorrhage. Suturing of tonsil pillars has been suggested to enhance healing by reducing exposed surfaces. However, complications such as arterial injury and infection have been reported. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of barbed sutures for reducing post-tonsillectomy complications compared to standard techniques.
Methods
This prospective case-control study included 25 patients to receive a tonsillectomy with silk sutures (n = 11) or a tonsillectomy with barbed sutures (n = 14). Patients underwent either Barbed Tonsillectomy (BT) or standard tonsillectomy with external silk sutures. Pain scores were assessed using a visual analogue scale (VAS), while oropharyngeal dysphagia was evaluated using the Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10) at two weeks and one month post-operation.
Results
BT showed significantly lower postoperative pain scores than standard tonsillectomy at 24 hours (VAS: 2.9 vs. 7.0) and after two weeks (VAS: 0.1 vs. 3.4). Similarly, BT demonstrated lower EAT-10 scores at two weeks (0.6 vs. 8.2) and one month (0.9 vs. 5.3), thus indicating reduced dysphagia. Only one patient in the control group required surgical revision due to bleeding, and none in the BT group. Comparison of all variables showed always a statistically significant (p<0.05).
Conclusions
This study showed that barbed sutures in tonsillectomy may be a safe technique with reduced complications and a faster recovery. Initial findings regarding hemorrhage, pain management, and recovery outcomes are highly promising, warranting further investigation with larger sample sizes to endorse these results.
期刊介绍:
Official Journal of
European Union of Medical Specialists – ORL Section and Board
Official Journal of Confederation of European Oto-Rhino-Laryngology Head and Neck Surgery
"European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology" publishes original clinical reports and clinically relevant experimental studies, as well as short communications presenting new results of special interest. With peer review by a respected international editorial board and prompt English-language publication, the journal provides rapid dissemination of information by authors from around the world. This particular feature makes it the journal of choice for readers who want to be informed about the continuing state of the art concerning basic sciences and the diagnosis and management of diseases of the head and neck on an international level.
European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology was founded in 1864 as "Archiv für Ohrenheilkunde" by A. von Tröltsch, A. Politzer and H. Schwartze.