- Reference Number: HEY1519/2023
- Departments: Day Surgery (DSU), ENT, Paediatric Medicine
- Last Updated: 31 August 2023
Introduction
This leaflet has been produced to give you general information. Most of your questions should be answered by this leaflet. It is not intended to replace the discussion between you and the healthcare team but may act as a starting point for discussion. If after reading it you have any concerns or require further explanation, please discuss this with a member of the healthcare team.
What is coblation?
Coblation is a word derived from controlled ablation. Coblation technology is a surgical technique that precisely removes tissue at cooler temperatures (40 to 70 °C) as compared to other technology like electrocautery (400 to 600 °C). It is increasingly preferred by ENT surgeons for removing adenoids and tonsils.
How is coblation adenoidectomy different?
Coblation adenoidectomy is only different in the technology used to remove the adenoids.
How is coblation intracapsular tonsillectomy different?
Coblation intracapsular tonsillectomy is different as it involves removing most of the tonsil tissue, apart from a small area near the tonsil capsule (the covering of the tonsil).
What are the advantages compared to other ways to remove the adenoids and / or tonsils?
- Minimal damage to nearby healthy tissue
- Less blood loss
- Less pain
- Earlier return to your normal diet
- Quicker return to normal activities, including getting back to school
- Reduced chance of re-attending the Emergency Department or of re-admission
What are the disadvantages?
Since a tiny bit of tonsil tissue is left behind over the capsule there is a small (up to 3 in 100) chance of your tonsils growing back. If this happens, you may need repeat surgery in the future.
Should you require further advice on the issues contained in this leaflet, please do not hesitate to contact the ENT Department.
General Advice and Consent
Most of your questions should have been answered by this leaflet, but remember that this is only a starting point for discussion with the healthcare team.
Consent to treatment
Before any doctor, nurse or therapist examines or treats your child, they must seek your consent or permission. In order to make a decision, you need to have information from health professionals about the treatment or investigation which is being offered to your child. You should always ask them more questions if you do not understand or if you want more information.
The information you receive should be about your child’s condition, the alternatives available for your child, and whether it carries risks as well as the benefits. What is important is that your consent is genuine or valid. That means:
- you must be able to give your consent
- you must be given enough information to enable you to make a decision
- you must be acting under your own free will and not under the strong influence of another person
Information about your child
We collect and use your child’s information to provide your child with care and treatment. As part of your child’s care, information about your child will be shared between members of a healthcare team, some of whom you may not meet. Your child’s information may also be used to help train staff, to check the quality of our care, to manage and plan the health service, and to help with research. Wherever possible we use anonymous data.
We may pass on relevant information to other health organisations that provide your child with care. All information is treated as strictly confidential and is not given to anyone who does not need it. If you have any concerns please ask your child’s doctor, or the person caring for your child.
Under the General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018 we are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of any information we hold about your child. For further information visit the following page: Confidential Information about You.
If you need information about your child’s (or a child you care for) health and wellbeing and their care and treatment in a different format, such as large print, braille or audio, due to disability, impairment or sensory loss, please advise a member of staff and this can be arranged.
