Powered Intracapsular Tonsillectomy in the Management of Recurrent Tonsillitis

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To compare intracapsular tonsillectomy (IT) and traditional tonsillectomy (TT) in treating recurrent adenotonsillitis or streptococcal pharyngitis. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. SETTING: Tertiary care pediatric referral center. RESULTS: Of 166 patients who met all inclusion criteria, 117 received TT and 49 received IT. Seventeen TT patients and 8 IT patients were treated at least once postoperatively for streptococcal pharyngitis or tonsillitis. The mean number of infections after surgery in each group did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.295). CONCLUSION: There was no difference between the IT and TT groups in postoperative infection rates.