Coblation Versus Cold Dissection Tonsillectomy in the Pediatric Population: A Prospective Comparative Study on Postoperative Pain, Recovery, and Complications

Background/Objectives: Tonsillectomy remains one of the most frequently performed procedures in pediatric otolaryngology. This study compared the clinical efficacy and postoperative morbidity of coblation tonsillectomy (Group A) versus traditional cold dissection (Group B), focusing on postoperative pain, recovery time, and hemorrhagic complications. Methods: A prospective, randomized, single-blinded study was conducted involving 100 pediatric patients (n = 50 per group) aged 3 to 17 years. Patients were monitored for 10 days postoperatively. The primary outcome was pain intensity, measured twice daily using the Wong–Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale. Secondary outcomes included operative time, analgesic consumption, time to return to a normal diet, and secondary hemorrhage rates. Results: The mean operative time for Group A was significantly shorter (18.5 ± 4.2 min) compared to Group B (24.1 ± 5.6 min; p < 0.05). Pain assessment showed significantly lower mean pain scores for the Coblation group during the critical first week. For instance, on Post-op Day 1, the mean pain score was 3.2 for Group A vs. 5.8 for Group B (p < 0.001). Patients in Group A returned to a normal solid diet significantly earlier (mean day 5.2 ± 1.1) than those in Group B (mean day 7.4 ± 1.5; p < 0.01). Secondary hemorrhage occurred in 1 case (2%) in Group A and 1 case (2%) in Group B (p = 1.00). Conclusions: Coblation tonsillectomy significantly reduces postoperative pain and accelerates recovery without compromising the safety profile. The clinical benefits, despite the higher procedural cost, justify its preference in modern pediatric surgical practice due to improved quality of life for the patient.