[Tonsillotomy with the argon-supported monopolar needle--first clinical results]. 
Primary management of tonsillar hyperplasia in children is tonsillectomy.  Recent data from clinical case-series are clearly in support of the hypothesis that tonsillotomy with the CO2-laser seems to be effective and is noted to have less postoperative bleeding and less pain as compared to tonsillectomy.  For the first time we used a monopolar argon-supported needle for tonsillotomy in the following study.  Fifty patients (age: 4.58 years; SD +/- 2.33) with benign tonsillar hyperplasia were recruited.  For tonsillotomy we used the monopolar argon-supported needle.  The outcome measures were postoperative pain, capability of oral intake, consumption of analgesics and postoperative bleeding.  No postoperative bleeding occurred.  Post-operative pain hardly occurred and could easily be controlled.  The third postoperative day analgesics intake was under one portion per day (mean: 0.91; SD +/- 1.26).  Capability of oral intake and swallowing was normal on the seventh postoperative day.  It was concluded that tonsillotomy, using the monopolar argon-supported needle, is a valid treatment for benign tonsillar hyperplasia in children, which can be performed with slight post-operative pain and a low risk for postoperative bleeding.  It offers good dissection and haemostasis abilities.  Compared to the CO2-laser the monopolar argon-supported needle does not require any laser safety precautions.