OBJECTIVETo investigate the feasibility of applying harmonic scalpel in tonsillectomy by comparing it with the conventional tonsillectomy.

METHODSThirty-five patients were treated by harmonic scalpel assisted tonsillectomy (harmonic scalpel group) and 35 patients were treated by conventional tonsillectomy (control group). The operating time and blood loss during operation and the degree of pain and post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage as well as the time of defining were observed.

RESULTSThe data of the operating time and blood loss during operation and the degree of pain in harmonic scalpel group were lower than that in the conventional group, the harmonic scalpel group had less perioperative bleeding (median 1 ml), short operation time (median 20 min), postoperative pain during 5 days with visual analogue scale was lighter (median from 5 scores down to 1 score), there was statistical difference (P < 0.01). Neither primary hemorrhage nor secondary hemorrhage occurred in harmonic scalpel group, while one primary hemorrhage and one secondary hemorrhage occurred in conventional group. No difference was found in the beginning time of defining (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe application of harmonic scalpel in tonsillectomy was safe, efficient and feasible, which had a nice application prospect in the field of otolaryngology.