A comparison of tonsillectomy with the harmonic scalpel versus electrocautery.

Objective: We sought to test whether the use of the harmonic scalpel would cause less pain and more rapid recovery in tonsillectomy patients versus the use of electrocautery.

Design And Setting: In a private practice community hospital, we conducted a prospective nonrandomized comparison of 156 pediatric tonsillectomy cases. Local anesthetic infiltrations and steroids were used at the discretion of the surgeon.