Chisel tip suction cautery device for tonsillectomy

Abstract

Smoke and blood can limit visibility during electrosurgical tonsillectomy. Although some surgeons use a suction coagulator to perform tonsillectomy, 1 1 find that the large circumference of the suction electrode leaves a more diffuse thermal injury than the fine tip of the electrosurgical pencil. I therefore adopted the technique of placing a suction catheter through one nostril into the oropharynx. 2 Other methods of attaching suction catheters to the electrosurgical pencil have also been described. 3 These techniques allow continuous smoke evacuation but are less effective at clearing blood from the operative site. Furthermore, it is often necessary to use suction cautery when more difficult bleeding is not easily addressed with the electrosurgical pencil. An instrument that provides pinpoint electrosurgical dissection in combination with effective smoke and blood evacuation would facilitate the performance of tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy.