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How we do it: ‘tonsil swabs please’ – an alternative use in open neck surgery

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 August 2021

E Mathew ,
D Nair ,
T Rourke  and
R Corbridge
E Mathew*
Affiliation:
ENT Department, Milton Keynes University Hospital Milton Keynes, UK
D Nair
Affiliation:
ENT Department, Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading, UK
T Rourke
Affiliation:
ENT Department, Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading, UK
R Corbridge
Affiliation:
ENT Department, Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading, UK
*
Author for correspondence: Miss E Mathew, ENT Department, Milton Keynes University Hospital, Standing Way, Eaglestone, Milton KeynesMK6 5LD, UK E-mail: lizmathew22@hotmail.com
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Abstract

Background

Thyroid and parathyroid surgery often involves the use of heated instruments for dissection. Whilst these are beneficial, accidental thermal damage to the exposed skin edges can occur, resulting in an unsatisfactory cosmetic outcome. Tonsil swabs can be used in head and neck surgery intra-operatively to control bleeding. This paper describes an alternative use for them in protecting wound edges during the procedure.

Method

Damp tonsil swabs are sutured onto the wound edges after the initial skin incision. They remain present for the duration of the surgery and are removed at the time of skin closure.

Results

The tonsil swabs provide protection and help avoid accidental injury to the skin. No complications with this technique have been experienced.

Conclusion

This paper describes a simple, effective and practical technique for protecting the skin during neck procedures using resources readily available in a standard ENT operating theatre.

Keywords

Thyroid GlandPalatine TonsilSkinParathyroid GlandsEndocrine Surgical ProceduresOtolaryngologyWound InfectionBurns
Type
Short Communications
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 135 , Issue 9 , September 2021 , pp. 844 - 845
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press

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Footnotes

Miss E Matthew takes responsibility for the integrity of the content of the paper

References

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