ENTcep-tional Tonsillectomy.

Patient’s Emailed Success Story – June 2015

Good Morning,

I wanted to let you know that I had my tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy by Dr. Parker yesterday and feel great! Of course there is some discomfort, but nothing like I anticipated. My biggest complaint is swallowing because my nasopharynx, uvula, and tongue are swollen. Motrin is helping with that. I don’t have the burning pain from the actual procedure that I anticipated, and the need for Percocet has been minimal. I know it is still early, but I can’t imagine it getting any worse because it’s already much better 24 hours later.

I am going to contact the 3 other ENT’s that I saw. All three told me an adult tonsillectomy is a terrible/painful procedure. I want to tell them they are doing their patients a disservice by not utilizing technology proven to reduce pain because of cost!

 

 

Dr. Parker said my tonsils were terrible and to think I held onto them for a year because of their outdated (albeit cost effective) technique. It’s a shame that I had to travel an hour and a half and out of state to have the procedure, but well worth the trip!

Thank you so much for your referral and support. Feel free to share my positive experience with other potential patients too.

Regards,
Susan H.

Charles Amenta, M.D., of Chicago, Illinois

Tonsillectomy patients in the Chicago area can put aside those tubs of ice cream thanks to a novel surgical device. Charles Amenta, M.D., an otolaryngologist at the Center for Minimally Invasive Surgery (CMIS) in Mokena, Ill., is using Microline Surgical’s MiFusion ENTceps® to remove tonsils quickly and safely with minimal damage to nearby tissue and less post-operative pain compared with conventional devices.

While tonsillectomy is one of the most common surgical procedures, patients typically say it's one of the most painful. But MiFusion ENTceps has been a game changer for Dr. Amenta. "It made me rethink just how much healthy tissue I can really save, still take out the complete tonsil and have a happier patient."

Conventional devices used to perform tonsillectomies transmit electrical energy through the patient, which can damage surrounding tissue, as well as cause excessive bleeding and intense post-operative pain. As a result, it can take days or even weeks for a patient to fully recover and resume his or her normal life.

MiFusion ENTceps uses an advanced, proprietary technology, called Thermal Fusion (also known as Tissue Welding), to remove the tonsils and simultaneously seal the tissue from which they were removed. Tissue damage is minimal because the MiFusion ENTceps device uses only pure heat and pressure. This accounts for vastly improved patient outcomes. Studies have shown that patients who have undergone MiFusion ENTceps tonsillectomies experience less pain and bleeding compared with other surgical techniques.1,2

Dr. Amenta says, "I've taken out tonsils in six different ways and Thermal Fusion is by far the best way to do it because it's precise and atraumatic for the patients."

 

Carrie Fedynich is one of Dr. Amenta's many patients who are pleased with the procedure. The 32-year-old, who had been suffering bouts of tonsillitis several times a year, sought out a physician who was performing Thermal Fusion tonsillectomies.

"I was nervous about having a tonsillectomy because of all the negative recovery stories I heard, but it wasn't bad at all. I had sore throats worse than what the recovery from the surgery was like," Fedynich says. During her recovery time at home, Fedynich says she had no bleeding and very minimal pain. "I would recommend this procedure and I've already told a few other people about it."

Dr. Amenta says, "We used to get phone calls all the time from patients telling us that they couldn't tolerate the pain but MiFusion ENTceps has made a huge difference. We're getting far fewer calls and just see the patients at their follow up appointments." He adds, now that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued recent warnings against the use of codeine to reduce pain in children, surgeons are trying "to find ways to inflict less damage so parents can manage their children’s pain with over the counter pain relievers."

For more information on the MiFusion ENTceps® tonsillectomy procedure, visit www.entceptional.com.

1 Stavroulaki P. et al. Thermal welding versus cold dissection tonsillectomy: A prospective, randomized, single-blind study in adult patients. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. August 2007.

2 Karatzias G. et al. Thermal welding versus bipolar tonsillectomy: A comparative study. Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. June 2006.

Evie Ellis of Austin

One of Dr. Stierman's patients, Austin-resident Evie Ellis, had suffered from chronic tonsillitis for six years. When Dr. Stierman told her that she was a good candidate for a tonsillectomy, she"prepared for the worst" in her words.

"I went online and read horror stories from people who had undergone tonsillectomies," said Ellis. "Anticipating the worst, I planned to take three-to-four weeks off work to make sure that I'd be OK to come back."

On Thursday, June 28, Dr. Stierman performed a Thermal Fusion tonsillectomy with MiFusion ENTceps on Ellis. Much to her surprise, she was back to work on Thursday, July 5, just one week later. She also felt good enough to be at the hospital for the birth of her first grandchild that same day.

 

"By that weekend I was eating normal food and by Tuesday I felt good enough to go shopping," said Ellis. "I took it easy the next couple of days, enjoyed the July 4th holiday and went back to work that Thursday morning. Although I felt good enough to finish my workday, I ended up having to leave early not because of the tonsillectomy but because my daughter gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. Now, two weeks later, I feel great, I'm back to work and enjoying time with my grandson."

Chrystal Barczak

One of Dr. Strunk’s patients, League City residents Chrystal Barczak, Had suffered from recurring tonsillitis for years but refrained from having a tonsillectomy in fear of the recovery period. “I work in an operating room so I’ve seen surgeons perform traditional tonsillectomies and felt I wasn’t strong enough to go through that level of trauma and pain, “said Barczak. “When Dr. Strunk told me about his success with the MiFusion technique, I decided it was time to stop suffering and go through with the procedure.” Dr. Strunk performed Barczak’s tonsillectomy using the MiFusion ENTceps® on a Monday and by Wednesday, she had stopped taking pain medication.

 

While she anticipated being out of work for two weeks, Barczak felt well enough to return to work just one week later. I’ve heard about other people being out of commission for up to six weeks following a tonsillectomy but I was feeling great within days.” said Barczak.