The term coblation is derived from “Controlled ablation”. The procedure involves non-heat driven process of soft tissue dissolution using bipolar radiofrequency energy under a conductive medium like normal saline. When current from radiofrequency probe pass through saline medium it breaks saline into sodium and chloride ions. These highly energized ions form a plasma field which is sufficiently strong to break organic molecular bonds within soft tissue causing its dissolution.
Coblation tonsillectomy has evolved as a very effective method of treatment due to the face that, contrary to laser method, little heat is used causing little or no damage to neighbouring structures. Additionally, this method is more advantageous because it causes little to almost no pain and reduces subsequent bleeding.