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Published on: November 6, 2019

Antibiotics do not reduce post-tonsillectomy morbidity in children

Abdulmonem Al-Layla1, Tareq M Mahafza

  • 1ENT Department, Jordan University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of Jordan, PO Box 13046, Amman, Jordan.

European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology : Official Journal of the European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS) : Affiliated with the German Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
|September 27, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Antibiotic use after tonsillectomy in children did not reduce complications like fever or pain. Routine antibiotic prescription is not recommended; consider it only on a case-by-case basis for post-tonsillectomy care.

Area of Science:

  • Otolaryngology
  • Pediatric Surgery
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Post-tonsillectomy morbidity, including fever, pain, and bleeding, can impact pediatric recovery.
  • The routine use of antibiotics to mitigate these complications is a common practice but lacks robust evidence.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the effectiveness of antibiotic administration in reducing common morbidities following tonsillectomy in children.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized clinical trial was conducted with pediatric patients undergoing tonsillectomy.
  • Patients were divided into two groups: one received amoxicillin with clavulanic acid post-operatively, while the control group received no antibiotics.
  • Outcomes measured included fever, secondary bleeding, throat pain duration, and time to resume a normal diet.

Main Results:

  • Secondary bleeding occurred more frequently in the antibiotic group (5.5%) compared to the no-antibiotic group (2%).
  • Average throat pain duration and time to resume a normal diet were slightly longer in the antibiotic group.
  • Fever rates were similar between the two groups (31% vs. 30%).

Conclusions:

  • Post-tonsillectomy antibiotic use does not appear to decrease post-operative morbidity in children.
  • Routine antibiotic prescription following tonsillectomy is not supported; individualized assessment is advised.

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