Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “CAUTERY”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 451 records · Page 25Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

[The Chronological changes in the cerebral blood flow and cerebral metabolic rate for glucose in the ischemic rabbit brain].

Chronological changes in regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and in the regional cerebral metabolic rate for glucose (rCMRGlu) were studied by a double tracer autoradiographic method in regions of local ischemia in rabbit brains. Local ischemia was produced by cautery of the bilateral vertebral artery, followed several days later by cautery of the left middle cerebral artery through a transorbital approach and ligation of the left common carotid artery. Autoradiography was performed, 2 hours, 6 hours, and 4 days after occlusion, by a double tracer method involving the use of 14C-iodo-antipyrine and 18F-fluoro-deoxyglucose. Absolute rCBF values were estimated by Sakurada's method and rCMRGlu values by Hutchins' formula. Histological examination was performed concurrently with the rCBF and rCMRGlu study. Mildly ischemic lesions (rCBF of 25 to 40 ml/100 g/min) were detected in the superior portion of the left frontal lobe, the left parietal lobe, and the left occipital lobe. Severely ischemic lesions (rCBF below 25 ml/100 g/min) were found in the lateral part of the left frontal lobe, the left temporal lobe, and the left caudate nucleus. In the mildly ischemic regions, rCMRGlu decreased in proportion to the decrease in rCBF. That is, matched low perfusion was observed, but there were no histological abnormalities. In severe ischemia the situation was quite different. Two hours after occlusion, most areas showed a decrease in rCMRGlu in proportion to the decrease in rCBF. However, 6 hours after occlusion, rCMRGlu decreased nonuniformly: in some places the decrease was dramatic and in others, rCMRGlu residue was found. Four days after occlusion, the reduction in rCMRGlu was again proportional to the rCBF decrease.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Steroid inhibition of limbal blood and lymphatic vascular cell growth.

Steroids are widely used in the prevention of corneal neovascularization in a wide range of natural and experimental situations. However, no information is available on their effect on the growth of the individual limbal blood vascular cells or of lymphatic cells involved in corneal neovascularization. In addition, tritiated thymidine labelling index is commonly used as an indicator of cell population but doubt exists as to whether it truly represents cell growth. Remote thermal cautery of the rat cornea was used to elicit corneal neovascularization. New cell growth was measured by tritiated thymidine uptake and by the number of cell nuclei per section. Cells investigated were the arteriolar, venular, capillary and lymphatic endothelial cells as well as the arteriolar and venular perivascular cells. A total of 89,320 blood vascular endothelial and perivascular cell nuclei and 12,075 lymphatic nuclei were counted. Thermal cautery elicited a significant increase in labelling index and cell population of all limbal vascular cell types. Steroid application elicited a significant short term inhibition or delay for all six cell types although this was not apparent for venular endothelial cells using labelling index as a growth indicator. At six days only the lymphatic endothelial cell population showed a significant (p < 0.001) increase associated with steroid use.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The role of electrolyte in lesion size using an irrigated radiofrequency electrode.

Multiple attempts have been made to eliminate atrial fibrillation by performing the surgical maze procedure with radiofrequency energy. Currently, this is limited because of the risk of atrial perforation and the lack of transmural penetration. Saline irrigation has been investigated as a method of radiofrequency cautery tip cooling to prevent rapid temperature and impedance rises, which have been shown to lead to perforation or decreased radiofrequency penetration after eschar formation. There are few data on the influence that different types of electrolyte irrigation solutions have on lesion depth. Using a novel hollow cautery pen, we infused either an electrolyte solution (0.9%, 3%, 14.6%, or 23.4% sodium chloride), a nonelectrolyte solution (1.5% glycine), or no irrigation to produce 819 lesions on 14 left ventricles in swine using radiofrequency energy (450+/-10 kHz) applied at two output settings (20 and 75 watts). The nonelectrolyte solution increased lesion depth compared with no infusion at 20 watts but produced shallower lesion depths compared with electrolyte solutions at 75 watts. Compared with the other electrolyte solutions, the 0.9% sodium chloride solution produced the deepest lesions (3.34+/-0.06 mm) at 75 watts (p < 0.001). As the concentration of electrolyte increased, lesion depth decreased unless generator output increased. Formation of eschar and tissue destruction was seen in the noninfusion and nonelectrolyte groups but not in the electrolyte group. A conductive media coupled with radiofrequency energy allowed for greater lesion depth than irrigated cooling with a nonelectrolyte solution or no irrigation. There was an inverse relationship between electrolyte concentration and lesion depth. We conclude that the concentration of electrolyte irrigant is an important consideration when choosing a solution to improve transmural penetration and decrease the risk of tissue destruction from radiofrequency energy.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Isoforms of nitric oxide synthase in the optic nerves of rat eyes with chronic moderately elevated intraocular pressure.

PURPOSE: To investigate the hypothesis that nitric oxide (NO) in the optic nerve heads of rats with chronic moderately elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) contributes to neurotoxicity of the retinal ganglion cells, the presence of the three isoforms of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) was determined in the tissue. METHODS: Unilateral chronic moderately elevated IOP was produced in rats by cautery of three episcleral vessels. Histologic sections of optic nerves from eyes with normal IOP and with chronic moderately elevated IOP were studied by immunohistochemistry and by immunoblot analysis. Polyclonal antibodies to NOS-1, NOS-2, NOS-3, and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) were localized with immunoperoxidase. RESULTS: In the optic nerve of rat eyes with normal IOP, NOS-1 was constitutively present in astrocytes, pericytes and nerve terminals in the walls of the central artery. NOS-2 was not present in eyes with normal IOP. In these eyes, NOS-3 was constitutively present in the vascular endothelia of large and small vessels. Rat eyes treated with three-vessel cautery had sustained elevated IOP (1.6 fold) for at least 3 months. In these eyes, no obvious changes in NOS-1 or NOS-3 were noted. However, at time points as early as 4 days of chronic moderately elevated IOP, NOS-2 appeared in astrocytes in the optic nerve heads of these eyes and persisted for up to 3 months. Immunoblot analysis did not detect differences in NOS isoforms. CONCLUSION: The cellular distributions of constitutive NOS isoforms in the rat optic nerve suggest physiological roles for NO in this tissue. NOS-1 in astrocytes may produce NO as a mediator between neighboring cells. NO, produced by NOS-1 in pericytes and nitrergic nerve terminals and by NOS-3 in vascular endothelia, is probably a physiological vasodilator in this tissue. In eyes with chronic moderately elevated IOP, NOS-2 is apparently induced in astrocytes. The excessive NO production that is associated with this isoform may contribute to the neurotoxicity of the retinal ganglion cells in eyes with chronic moderately elevated IOP.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

A comparison of dissection-method and diathermy tonsillectomies.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the dissection and diathermy methods of tonsillectomy and evaluate their advantages and disadvantages during surgery and convalescence. METHODS AND SETTING: Patients who had tonsillectomy at Aga Khan University Hospital, between January 1994-December 1997. RESULTS: Four year retrospective analysis was done of 200 patients who underwent tonsillectomy by either electrocautery or dissection method. One hundred and eleven underwent tonsillectomy by electrocautery and the other 79 had their tonsils removed by dissection-method and 2 had a combination of both. The average intra-operative blood loss was 10 ml with cautery and 65 ml with dissection method. The average operative time was 15.7 minutes with cautery and 26.9 minutes for dissection. We found higher amounts of blood loss and intra-operative time with dissection method than electrocautery. In comparing diathermy dissection method tonsillectomies, there was marked diffference between two, in peri-operative blood loss and operative time. CONCLUSION: Although post-operative bleeding, pain and infection are complications of both techniques and in our study their incidence in similar in both, but intra-operative blood loss and time are two important factors, based on which we can conclude that electrocautery technique is a more effective technique in our set up.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Expression of integrins and MMPs during alkaline-burn-induced corneal angiogenesis.

PURPOSE: To determine in a corneal alkaline burn model of angiogenesis whether the expression of integrins and MMPs is consistent with a VEGF-induced angiogenic response. METHODS: Neovascularization in female Sprague-Dawley rats was induced by alkaline cauterization of the central cornea. RT-PCR for integrins alpha(1), alpha(2), beta(3), and beta(5); the endothelial marker CD31; and metalloproteinases MMP-2 and MT1-MMP was performed on naive corneas and on cauterized corneas 72 and 288 hours after cautery. Analyses of protein and MMP expression were conducted on naive corneas and on cauterized corneas 24, 72, 120, and 168 hours after cautery by immunofluorescence microscopy and gelatin zymography. RESULTS: RT-PCR indicated a correlation between the induced angiogenic response and the expression of alpha(1) and beta(3) integrin subunits and MT1-MMP. Immunohistochemical analysis indicated that alpha(1), alpha(2), alpha(5), and beta(5) integrins and MMP-2 and MT1-MMP were expressed on the newly developing vasculature. The beta(3) integrin was preferentially expressed on platelets. CONCLUSIONS: Integrin expression during neovascularization of rat corneas in response to alkaline injury correlates with an angiogenic response that uses the VEGF/alpha(v)beta(5) pathway. MMP-2 and MT1-MMP, but not MMP-9, are expressed in a pattern consistent with their involvement in the angiogenic response.

Alkalies↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Recovery of cervical portio epithelial integrity using radiofrequency: preliminary results].

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the radiosurgical procedure (high frequency, filtered wave-form energy) in the management of benign lesions of uterine cervix. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a prospective study a radiothermal cautery treatment by micro-needle was performed to 168 women, attending a gynecology office, with an abnormal cervical cytology, istology and with a colposcopic diagnosis of benign cervical lesions with a total visibility of squamous columnar junction and no extended lesion of cervical canal. Cytology and colposcopy were used to follow up after treatment 3-4 months and 10-12 months after the procedure. RESULTS: 130 women (77.6%) obtained a complete recovery at the first follow-up. Partial treatment failure, defined as the persistence or recurrence of a small cervical lesion after three months, was observed in 19 women (18.2%) but after a second treatment in the 100% we obtained a complete recovery with a well visible squamous columnar junction. Radiothermal cautery procedure was advantageous with a shorter duration of surgery, lower cost, reduced operation bleeding, no need for pain-relieving medication and shorter duration of postoperative disability. CONCLUSIONS: This surgical procedure resulted an excellent technique to obtain a complete epithelial recovery of uterine cervix, easy and cheap to be executed in a outpatient office.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Bipolar electrothermic coagulation (ligasure bipolar vessel sealing system) in thyroid surgery].

Over the past few years different methods of achieving haemostasis in surgery have been developed. Among these methods, bipolar electrothermal coagulation carried out with the "LigaSure Bipolar Vessel Sealing System" has found numerous applications in some types of abdominal and pelvic surgery, especially when performed laparoscopically, where traditional methods of haemostasis sometimes prove more difficult to perform and are often unsafe. The authors also experimented with the use of electrothermal cautery in thyroid surgery, evaluating its efficacy in achieving haemostasis, as well as in reducing a number of complications such as hypoparathyroidism and recurrent palsy, which can be obtained utilizing the ability of the procedure to produce haemostasis without heat dispersion in the adjacent tissues. Analysing their experience with 67 cases of total thyroidectomy performed with the help of bipolar electrothermal cautery, the authors report a 4.5% incidence of transient hypoparathyroidism and a 1.5% incidence of transient monolateral recurrent lesions. These incidences proved significantly inferior to those reported by the same authors in a recent analysis of 579 total thyroidectomies carried out since 1994. The results, however, were similar to those reported in literature. The authors conclude by confirming the importance of the LigaSure system for haemostasis in thyroid surgery, stressing the fact that the routine use of this method may be limited due to the high cost of the equipment.

Electrocoagulation↗
PubMed1992

Complications of laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy with lasers or cautery is a feasible, effective, and worthwhile operative procedure that is subject to morbidity and mortality. There is unequivocal evidence that the complication incidence is directly related to the training and experience of the surgeon, applicability of basic principles of gallbladder and common duct surgery, and preventive measures toward iatrogenic injuries in gallbladder surgery. Continued and sustained investigation in laparoscopic cholecystectomy, technological developments in equipment, and the continued education of the surgeon in the applicability and use of laparoscopic cholecystectomy, intraoperative cholangiography, and choledocholithotomy are essential. At the St Francis Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 1009 laparoscopic cholecystectomies with lasers or cautery were performed between March 1989 and October 1991. There were 32 (3%) abandoned laparoscopic cholecystectomies with alternative open cholecystectomy. There were six extrahepatic ductal injuries and a complication incidence of 10.9%. The mortality rate was 0.38%. The average length of stay was 2 days. In comparison with standard cholecystectomy, laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a competitive and superior procedure in selected circumstances.

Bile Ducts↗
PubMed1987

Brainstem auditory evoked potentials: intraoperative monitoring technique in surgery of posterior fossa tumors.

Brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEPs) were used to monitor eight neurosurgical procedures involving posterior fossa tumors to assist the neurosurgeon in preservation of hearing postoperatively. The technique included placement of recording electrodes over the Cz (vertex) and both earlobes. Stimulation was accomplished intraoperatively with a specifically designed intraauricular click stimulator that did not interfere with surgical access to the suboccipital region. Continuous BAEP recording was performed with particular attention to the sequence of preincision, opening of the dura, tumor mobilization, tumor excision, and closure. Absolute latencies and interpeak latencies of all five waves were recorded when possible. In three patients BAEPs were not significantly altered intraoperatively, and hearing was preserved postoperatively. In another three patients the acoustic nerve was severed during surgery and intraoperative monitoring was discontinued. In the remaining two patients medical complications arose intraoperatively, and significant irreversible changes in BAEP were observed despite no gross anatomical damage to the acoustic nerve. Both of these patients experienced postoperative hearing loss. These two cases illustrated some of the BAEP abnormalities that occurred during surgery. Difficulties during the procedures included electrical noise and interference, use of a bipolar cautery device, and unclear wave forms. Solutions for these difficulties were braiding the electrodes and using extra ground electrodes and a spike suppressor; switching off the evoked potential equipment when the bipolar cautery device was in use; and increasing repetitions and changing click intensity and polarity, respectively. Monitoring BAEPs in posterior fossa surgery can be accomplished with presently available equipment and may aid the neurosurgeon in preserving or minimizing injury to auditory pathways and adjacent structures.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Liver transection: a controlled study of four different techniques in pigs.

The optimal method of transecting liver parenchyma has not been established and presently a variety of methods are in use. In a controlled study in pigs standard resections were performed with four different transection techniques: ultrasonic dissection, suction dissection, electrocautery, and sharp dissection. The blood loss, number of vessels identified before their division, need for additional hemostatic measures, and time for each procedure were evaluated. Also, the histologic appearance of the fresh and the healing cut surface of the liver was studied. The blood loss was the lowest when ultrasonic dissection was used (median blood loss of 58 ml per resection). The comparisons with suction dissection (median blood loss of 87 ml) and cautery (median blood loss of 79 ml) were not significant. The ultrasonic and suction dissection techniques were both effective in isolating vessels, but the ultrasonic dissector did this more atraumatically. Cautery and ultrasonic dissection had a hemostatic effect on the parenchyma in that a significantly smaller number of vessels needed to be clipped or tied. On histologic study of the fresh cut liver surface, a smooth surface was seen with ultrasonic dissection, parenchymal hemorrhage after suction dissection, and coagulation necrosis after electrocautery. Ultrasonic dissection was the only technique that combined lowered blood loss because medium- and large-size vessels were dissected free and ligated before transection and a hemostatic effect on small vessels.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Coaxial radio frequency (RF) diathermy in anterior segment surgery.

Modern ophthalmic microsurgery, particularly cataract extraction, trabeculectomy, and other forms of glaucoma filtration surgery, has been characterized by ever increasing precision. The use of radio frequency (RF) currents for cautery of blood vessels in anterior segment microsurgery has several advantages over other methods widely employed, including the bipolar cautery. A coaxial monopolar underwater diathermy probe, which operates with RF current has been specifically developed for anterior segment microsurgery and has proved vastly superior in cataract surgery, trabeculectomy, and full thickness glaucoma filtration procedures.

Anterior Eye Segment↗
PubMed1979

Evaluation of the plasma scalpel for intracranial surgery: a pilot study.

The plasma scalpel, a new type of thermal knife, was investigated to determine its utility in neurosurgery. A series of 23 dogs underwent cortical resections comparing the use of the plasma scalpel with conventional bipolar cautery. Tissue heating, blood loss, speed of coagulation, wound healing and pathological change associated with use of the plasma scalpel were studied. The device was found to be effective, safe and faster than bipolar cautery. At present, several technical problems, including the large size of the handpiece and the blast effect of the plasma beam, preclude preliminary human clinical trials.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Ultrasonic aspiration in the surgical treatment of intracranial tumors.

The CUSATM (Cavitron Corporation - Stamford, Conn., USA) has been used for aspiration and ultrasonic fragmentation in 52 cases of intracranial tumors: 24 meningiomas, 20 gliomas, 5 acoustic neurinomas, 1 cerebral metastasis, 1 pinealoma, 1 pituitary adenoma in our Clinic, since January 1979. Several advantages of the CUSA were found as compared to conventional techniques: it provides good visibility of the operating field: pathologic tissue can be removed from the surface to the deep structures and only one instrument is present in the surgical cavity; its use reduces manipulation, traction and thermic effects on nearby tissue; it selectively spares major vessels and has a hemostatic effect on those less than 1 mm in diameter. The rapidity of the action of the CUSA is relative to the consistency of the tissue. Tumors of high consistency are very slowly removed by the CUSA, and its use is not worthwhile. In our cases no damage to the surrounding structures was evident. Preliminary experimental data suggest that the use of the CUSA be avoided near the brain stem or within the spinal cord. However, in a cervical ependymoma of our series, the CUSA provided complete removal of the mass without complications. This result was achieved by using lower vibratory power: we were thus able to remove pathologic soft tissue without clinically evident damage to the surrounding structures. In some particular situations the volume and the shape of the instrument can be a hindrance, and some modifications are suggested: a bayonet shape and longer tip would facilitate the reaching of deep structures and permit its use in transphenoidal surgery; incorporation of a cautery in the tip, so that contemporary hemostasis can be accomplished. Our experience indicates that the use in transphenoidal surgery; incorporation of a cautery in the tip, so that contemporary hemostasis can be accomplished. Our experience indicates that the use of the CUSA is better indicated in deep tumors: meningiomas of the base of the skull, acoustic neurinomas, pinealomas, pituitary adenomas. In gliomas it is very useful in the selective removal of the neoplastic tissue in functionally important areas.

Brain Neoplasms↗
PubMed1995

The anchor subperiosteal forehead lift.

The coronal incision used for brow lift procedure has a high rate of localized alopecia, widening, and depression of the scar at the suture line. Other sequelae of the standard coronal brow lift incision procedure are "stretch-back" with a recurrent brow ptosis, poor brow elevation, and numbness beyond the incision line. Factors causing alopecia are tension, use of a monopolar cautery, use of key sutures with undue tension, one-layer closure, and sutures left too long. Recurrent brow ptosis may be due to anterior displacement of the posterior scalp flap, stretching of the anterior frontal skin flap, or insufficient power of the weakened frontalis muscle. Poor brow elevation may be due to unsatisfactory dissection on the glabella and orbital rims. Numbness and itching beyond the incision line are due to a low coronal incision. To avoid these problems, the following principles were followed: (1) If not contraindicated, the incision is made high on the vertex of the head, posterior to a biauricular line. (2) The pericranium is included in the frontal flap starting at the incision lines. (3) The subperiosteal dissection is continued down to the orbital rims and nasal bones. (4) The release of the periosteum at the arcus marginalis or just above allows repositioning of the brow structures. (5) The inelastic pericranium maintains the position of the elevated structures and avoids stretching of the frontal skin. (6) The integrity of the frontalis muscle is maintained completely. (7) Two large triangles of scalp resected in the posterior flaps allow fixing the position of the posterior scalp and match better the length of the anterior flap. (8) The galea periosteal rim flap allows anchoring of the frontal flap to the undersurface of the posterior scalp flap. This stabilizes the closure with minimal tension on the hair-bearing portion of the scalp. The wide surface of contact avoids depression and widening at the suture line. (9) Closure with skin staples avoids constriction of the hair follicles. (10) Hemostasis is done with a bipolar cautery. (11) No through-and-through key sutures are used. Some of these principles were introduced to the endoscopic subperiosteal forehead lift. The modifications mentioned above have been used in 92 open brow/face lift procedures with excellent aesthetic and functional results and minimal complications.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Vas deferens occlusion during no-scalpel vasectomy.

The increasing popularity of the no-scalpel vasectomy (NSV) technique in the United States is driven by patient demand for surgical procedures presumed to be less invasive and by the somewhat lower complication rate of the NSV technique. The NSV technique addresses vasal delivery but not vasal occlusion. Intraluminal red-hot wire cautery with sheath closure over the inguinal end of the cut vas (Schmidt's method) has the lowest failure rate of all reasonable vas occlusion methods. The anatomical relationships of scrotal layers can be unclear during the NSV technique. Accurate identification of the sheath layer is critical to sheath interruption if this method of occlusion is to be used. Placement of an absorbable purse-string suture for sheath interruption during the NSV procedure is described. Special attention must be given to placement of one suture bite in the deep (posterior) sheath wall. The vasal occlusion technique described in this paper blends a refined method of vasal delivery (NSV) with the most effective method of vasal occlusion (cautery with sheath interruption).

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Immunosuppressive properties of tissues obtained from eyes with experimentally manipulated corneas.

PURPOSE: To use explants of cornea and iris and ciliary body (I/CB) of experimentally manipulated eyes to determine whether loss of the capacity to suppress T-cell activation in vitro correlates with other consequences of manipulation, i.e., the migration of Langerhans cells into the central corneal epithelium, the leakiness of stromal neovessels, and the presence of axons in the cornea. METHODS: Mouse eyes were subjected to cautery of central corneal surface, suture-induced neovascularization, circumferential or criss-crossed corneal surface wounds, and orthotopic corneal grafting. Corneas and I/CB were excised, explanted in vitro, and assayed for capacity to suppress mixed lymphocyte reaction. Integrity of suture-induced corneal neovessels was assessed with high molecular weight dextran, Langerhans cells were enumerated in corneal epithelium, nerve axons were evaluated in corneal stroma, and capacity of manipulated eyes to support anterior chamber-associated immune deviation (ACAID) induction after anterior chamber injection of bovine serum albumin were assessed. RESULTS: Experimental manipulations that abolished ACAID included cautery, neovascularization, and keratoplasty, whereas criss-crossed corneal excision wounds did not. Loss of ACAID correlated variably with loss of ability of corneal explants to secrete immunosuppressive factors in vitro, presence of Langerhans cells within the central corneal epithelium, leakiness of corneal neovessels, loss of axons in corneal stroma, and loss of ability of I/CB after keratoplasty to secrete immunosuppressive factors. CONCLUSIONS: The cornea plays an active role in ocular immune privilege and ACAID by creating a local immunosuppressive microenvironment, providing neural afferent stimuli that affect immunosuppressive properties of I/CB, and preventing neovascularization and infiltration with Langerhans cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Ablative adenoidectomy: a new technique using simultaneous liquefaction/aspiration.

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to critically evaluate a new cautery technique for adenoidectomy that combines indirect visualization with complete hemostasis, ultimately permitting the surgeon to tailor the procedure to the patient's specific needs. DESIGN: This prospective study of 138 consecutive adenoidectomy patients of the senior author was carried out at the Montreal Children's Hospital over 17 months. Concurrent adenoidectomy patients of another senior otolaryngologist in our institution as well as cases of the senior author using the conventional cold curettage technique served as controls. METHOD: Data were collected preoperatively with respect to indication for surgery and radiologic findings. Operative findings including duration of surgery, concurrent procedures, position of adenoid hypertrophy, and blood loss were also recorded. Postoperative complications such as hemorrhage, infection, dehydration, as well as the incidence of velopharyngeal insufficiency and nasopharyngeal stenosis were also recorded up to 1 year from the date of surgery. The operative technique involves indirect visualization of the nasopharynx with a laryngeal mirror combined with cautery-liquefaction and suction ablation of the adenoid tissue. RESULTS: Our results demonstrate a significant reduction in blood loss as well as a reduction in operative time. There was a low incidence of postoperative infection, no patients required a return to the operating room for hemostasis, and there were no cases of recurrent adenoid hypertrophy. There was no detectable difference in the incidence of postoperative complications. CONCLUSION: We conclude that this technique is safe and time-efficient, with the advantages of excellent visualization and essentially no operative blood loss.

Adenoidectomy↗