Pediatric Intracapsular Tonsillectomy with Bipolar Electrosurgical Scissors

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.