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CO2-Lasertonsillotomy Under Local Anesthesia in Adults
Published on: November 6, 2019
Intensity of hemorrhage following tonsillectomy
1University Hospital Zvezdara, Ear, Nose and Throat Department, Belgrade, Serbia. d.n.milosevic@gmail.com
Background/Aim:
Although post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage is one of the most frequent and potentially life-threatening complications, there is no generally accepted classification of post-operative bleeding intensity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the intensity of post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage according to the five-grade classification.
Methods:
A total of 408 consecutive patients, aged 2 to 54 years, undergoing elective tonsillectomy, with (n = 261) or without (n = 147) adenoidectomy, were included in this prospective study. Tonsillectomy was performed under general anesthesia using standard technique of cold dissection with a snare. Any bleeding event was recorded. The severity of post-operative hemorrhage was classified in five grades.
Results:
In 11 (2.70%) of the patients grade 1 hemorrhage following tonsillectomy occurred, 4 (0.98%) had grade 2 and 2 (0.49%) of the patients had grade 3 post-operative bleeding. Grades 4 and 5 were not recorded, and no patient received a blood transfusion.
Conclusion:
Post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage can be expected in a small number of patients undergoing tonsillectomy. Hemorrhage is mostly primary and rarely requires treatment under endotracheal anesthesia and blood transfusion.
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