Guidance

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has issued full guidance to the NHS in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland on Tonsillectomy using laser.

Description

This procedure is used to treat recurrent or chronic tonsillar infection, chronic sore throat, airway obstruction or chronic halitosis.

Lasers used in tonsillectomy include CO2, KTP and contact diode lasers. Lasers both dissect tissue and coagulate blood vessels. Lasers can be used to either completely resect (laser tonsillectomy), reduce (laser assisted serial tonsillectomy) or vaporise (laser vaporisation tonsillectomy) tonsillar tissues.

Coding and clinical classification codes for this guidance.

Endorsing bodies

This interventional procedures guidance is endorsed by Healthcare Improvement Scotland as required by the Health and Social Care Act (2012).