The Harmonic Scalpel for tonsillectomy

A tonsillectomy is the surgical removal of tonsils, usually due to chronic infection. The patient is under a general anesthetic while the tissue between the tonsils and the throat is cut, and the tonsils are removed. The surrounding blood vessels are cauterized to control bleeding.

New surgical treatment: An end to the traditional week-long ice cream diet?!

In the past, tonsils were removed with electrosurgery, lasers, or steel scalpels. Dr. Alexander uses the new Harmonic Scalpel for tonsillectomies. This instrument significantly reduces the trauma to tissues as well as the amount of blood loss as compared to traditional techniques. The result is less pain in the days following the procedure. It also allows patients to return to normal eating much quicker, often within 24 to 72 hours of the procedure (as opposed to 7 to 10 days with traditional procedures). Regular activity levels may also be resumed faster.

How it works

The instrument converts ultrasonic energy into mechanical motion, vibrating at 50,000 cycles per second. This action cuts tissue with a fraction of the heat and trauma as compared to electrical cutting currents. The intense vibration also causes the blood in the immediate area to coagulate, so there is virtually no blood loss during the operation.

Benefits

• Less trauma to tissues
• Less bleeding
• Less pain in the days following the procedure
• Faster recovery
• Reduced chance of fever following the procedure