Coblation Total Intracapsular Tonsillectomy (Tonsillotomy) is a novel technique for removing the tonsils without breaching the fibrous capsule of the tonsils. This means that the underlying muscle is not exposed.
The benefits of this form of surgery compared to conventional (extracapsular) tonsil surgery are:
1.) Less bleeding (haemorrhage) risk (0.2% compared to 2-5%)
2). Much faster recovery (3-7 days compared to approximately 14 days)
3). Less pain facilitating quicker discharge from hospital and reducing need for stronger pain medicines.
Coblation uses a controlled, non-heat driven process using radiofrequency energy to produce precisely focused plasma from saline. The plasma can break molecular bonds within tissue allowing it to dissolve away at relatively low temperatures (typically around 40C).
