Hot saline irrigation for control of intraoperative bleeding in adenoidectomy: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficiency of hot (50 degrees C) saline irrigation for hemostasis after adenoidectomy.

STUDY DESIGN: A prospective, controlled, randomized study to investigate hot saline solution in hemostasis of adenoidectomy.

SETTING: A tertiary care pediatric hospital.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A group of 120 children, undergoing adenoidectomy alone, were randomized into two groups, either the room-temperature (25 degrees C) or 50 degrees C saline group, at the start of the operation.

RESULTS: One hundred and twenty consecutive patients were enrolled in the study. Age ranged from 1.5 to nine years (mean +/- SD: 4.5 +/- 1.9 years vs 4.9 +/- 1.8 years, 25 degrees C vs 50 degrees C saline groups). There were 36 males and 24 females in the control group (25 degrees C saline group), and 30 males and 30 females in the 50 degrees C saline group. Compared to patients in the control group, 50 degrees C saline reduced the operative time by 3.1 minutes (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.79-4.41, P = 0.001) and reduced the time for hemostasis by 1.77 minutes (95% CI 0.83-2.70, P = 0.008).

CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated that the 50 degrees C saline irrigation was more effectual for postadenoidectomy hemostasis in comparison to room-temperature (25 degrees C) saline irrigation by providing a lesser hemostasis time and requiring lesser need of recurettage and electrocauterization.