On the morning of June 29, the Central Ear, Nose, and Throat Hospital performed its first tonsillectomy using the Coblator II device. Utilizing high-frequency radio waves and a multifunctional probe, this equipment facilitates a quick procedure while minimizing damage and reducing the risk of complications for patients.
Dr. Nguyễn Thị Ngọc Dinh, Director of the Central Ear, Nose, and Throat Hospital, explained that the probe in the device helps to cut the tonsils with heat, while simultaneously irrigating with water and suctioning fluids along with debris, as well as cauterizing blood vessels. As a result, the local temperature remains around 60-70 degrees Celsius, preventing burns to surrounding tissues. This new method also causes less pain and bleeding, helps avoid swelling, and allows patients to go home on the same day.
In contrast, traditional surgical methods that involve dissection and electrocautery have higher complication rates, including bleeding, swelling, and edema. Patients often experience significant pain, with recovery times extending (typically requiring 3 days before discharge). Notably, with electrocautery methods, local temperatures can reach up to 400 degrees Celsius, resulting in burns to surrounding tissues, sometimes leading to deep burns that damage nerves and blood vessels. In fact, about 7 years ago, a patient died due to a deep burn that ruptured a nearby carotid artery. According to Dr. Ngọc Dinh, the new method will mitigate these drawbacks.
In addition to tonsillectomy, the Coblator II device is also applied in various other procedures within the ear, nose, and throat specialty, such as adenoidectomy, turbinate reduction, palatoplasty, and surgeries for treating snoring.
