Objectives: This study compared a quantum molecular resonance tonsillectomy (QMRT) to a standard blunt dissection tonsillectomy (BDT) for effectiveness and safety.
Methodology: From January 2011 to September 2012, we recruited 80 children (ages 3 to 16 y) with paediatric obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome and/or recurrent tonsillitis. Patients were randomly assigned to receive QMRT (N = 40) or BDT (N = 40). The operating time and blood loss during surgery were evaluated. During the first postoperative week, the patients' parents completed a questionnaire to evaluate bleeding, ear and neck pain, nausea, vomiting, interrupted sleep, oral liquid intake or discomfort in fluid assumption, and analgesic consumption.
Results: The average tonsillectomy duration was significantly shorter in the QMRT group (22.07 min ± 9.05) than in the BDT group (35.12 min ± 13.32; p < 0.000005). The average blood loss during tonsillectomy was significantly lower for the QMRT group (5.62 ml ± 7.44) than for the BDT group (43 ml ± 33.20; p < 000000001). However, the BDT group reported significantly lower pain scores than the QMRT group on days 2 (p < 0.05), 5 (p < 0.05), and 6 (p < 0.05); on other days, the groups were not significantly different. The BDT group reported two early and one late bleeding episodes; the QMRT group recorded only two late bleeding episodes.
Conclusions: QMRT significantly reduced the operating time and intra-operative blood loss. No significant differences were found between the two techniques in postoperative pain or bleeding.