NEW TECHNIQUES IN TONSIL & SNORING SURGERY
LASER This cutting beam coagulates small blood vessels as it cuts, which results in less bleeding. This is a removal procedure, the whole tonsil is taken out. There is some thought it may improve post-operative discomfort and could shorten recovery phase. The procedure does create a burning sensation, which can hurt.
RADIOFREQUENCY Relies on an electrosurgical instrument that produces pulses of heat.
RADIOFREQUENCY-ASSISTED UVULOPLASTY The uvula and palate are trimmed with a radiofrequency electrode. The procedure is identical to laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP)
COBLATION This procedure reduces collateral tissue damage by replacing the extreme heat of the laser and RF devices with gentle heating of the tissues. It is very useful for the removal of adenoids in children. Coblation is also used to reduce the size of the turbinates.
SOMNOPLASTY originally marketed for treatment of snoring. This needle-shaped radio frequency instrument has been used to shrink the tonsil. The tonsil is actually burned to shrink to about 70 percent of the original size. The question remains whether or not a reduced tonsil can still cause infections.
HARMONIC SCALPEL Cuts tissue with ultrasound vibrations. This method uses low temperatures so it won't burn other tissues.
*Associated Press November 1, 2000
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Coblation of the turbinates
New Technique for Parathyroidectomy
The use of Technetium 99 Sestamibi and a new tool called Neoprobe allow fast localization of parathyroid adenomas and their removal through small incisions, without having to explore the other three parathyroids. This is called minimally invasive radioguided parathyroidectomy (MIRP).
This page was last updated on: August 10, 2007
