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Published on: November 6, 2019
Benchmarking surgery: secondary post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage 1999-2005
1Department of Otolaryngology, University of Oslo, Norway. k.j.kvarner@medisin.uio.no
Acta Oto-Laryngologica
|July 9, 2008
Summary
Post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage rates remained stable despite increased otolaryngologic surgery in Norway. This suggests hemorrhage rates are a reliable indicator of tonsillectomy and adenotonsillectomy quality nationwide.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Surgical Outcomes
- Public Health
Background:
- Tonsillectomy and adenotonsillectomy are common surgical procedures.
- Monitoring post-operative complications like hemorrhage is crucial for assessing surgical quality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage.
- To analyze hospitalizations and surgical interventions for post-hemorrhage bleeding.
- To evaluate the relationship between surgical volume and hemorrhage rates.
Main Methods:
- National study utilizing the Norwegian Patient Registry from 1999-2005.
- Collected data on (adeno)tonsillectomy rates, post-hemorrhage hospitalizations, and rebleeding surgeries.
- Analyzed incidence, demographics, and surgical intervention rates.
Main Results:
- Hospitalization for post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage occurred in 1 in 200 cases; 1 in 1000 required surgery.
- The mean rebleeding rate was 0.5%.
- No seasonal variation in hemorrhages was observed, and rates remained stable despite increased surgery.
Conclusions:
- Post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage rates did not increase with rising otolaryngologic surgery volumes in Norway.
- Hemorrhage rates serve as a valuable benchmark for the quality of tonsillectomies and adenotonsillectomies nationally.
