This article describes the benefits of performing intracapsular tonsillectomy with bipolar electrosurgical scissors as an alternative to the powered microdebrider. These scissors are used to excise approximately 90% of the tonsillar mass en bloc. The remaining tonsillar tissue is electrodesiccated by monopolar suction cautery, while the anterior and posterior pillars are completely preserved. The procedure leaves a smaller surgical wound than do extracapsular techniques. Surgical time averages 6 minutes. There is typically no intraoperative blood loss. Bipolar electrosurgical scissors are an efficient and low-cost tool for performing pediatric intracapsular tonsillectomy.
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