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Post-tonsillectomy bacteraemia
R J Gaffney1, M A Walsh, D P McShane
1Department of Otolaryngology, St James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
Clinical Otolaryngology and Allied Sciences
|June 1, 1992
Summary
Post-tonsillectomy bloodstream infections (bacteraemia) were less common than expected. Penicillin may not be the best antibiotic for preventing these infections due to resistant bacteria like Haemophilus influenzae.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Post-tonsillectomy bacteraemia is linked to streptococcal endocarditis.
- Penicillin prophylaxis is standard for susceptible patients undergoing tonsillectomy.
- Rising penicillin resistance in tonsillar microflora necessitates reassessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of post-tonsillectomy bacteraemia.
- To identify causative organisms.
- To evaluate the suitability of penicillin for prophylaxis.
Main Methods:
- Blood cultures were taken post-tonsillectomy.
- Organisms were identified.
- Incidence and resistance patterns were analyzed.
Main Results:
- 11 of 32 patients (34.4%) showed bacteraemia.
- Haemophilus influenzae (36.4%) was more common than Streptococcus viridans (9%).
- Low incidence of bacteraemia observed.
Conclusions:
- Current penicillin prophylaxis may be suboptimal.
- Beta-lactamase stable antibiotics are recommended.
- Further research into optimal prophylactic strategies is warranted.