Post-tonsillectomy pain with diathermy and ligation techniques. A prospective randomized study in children and adults

150 patients (80 children and 70 adults) were entered into a prospective randomized study to compare the post-tonsillectomy pain of unipolar diathermy as opposed to ligation for haemostasis. In children, we found no difference in post-operative pain between the diathermy and ligation techniques. However, in adults there was a significant difference, more post-operative pain occurring with diathermy. There was no significant difference in the incidence of secondary haemorrhage.