Role of antibiotics in post-tonsillectomy morbidities; A systematic review

To evaluate the role of postoperative antibiotics on post-tonsillectomy morbidities.

Systematic Review.

Published papers and electronic databases (Medline, Web of Science, Embase) were searched from January 1985 up to March 2016 using the following key words in different combinations; Tonsil; Tonsillectomy; Post-tonsillectomy; Adenotonsillectomy; Antibiotics; Post-tonsillectomy morbidity; Bleeding; Secondary Hemorrhage. Twelve randomized control clinical trials fit the inclusion criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. We evaluated 5 outcomes, hemorrhage, return to normal diet, return to normal activities, fever and pain.

As regards secondary hemorrhage pooled analysis of 1397 patients revealed a relative risk (risk ratio, RR) of 1.052 with a 95% confidence interval (95% CI) of 0.739-1.497 (P-value, 0.779). As for return to normal diet pooled analysis of 527 patients showed a standardized mean difference (SMD) of -0.058 day with 95% CI of -0.233 to 0.118 (P-value, 0.518). As for return to normal activities pooled analysis of 257 patients showed a SMD of -0.014 day with a 95% CI of -0.258 to 0.230 (P-value, 0.908). As for Fever pooled analysis of 656 patients revealed a relative risk of 1.265 with 95% CI of 0.982-1.629 (P-value, 0.068). Finally for the postoperative pain due to the variability in the parameters used to assess the pain following tonsillectomy, we could not perform meta-analysis for this outcome.

The results of this study fail to support clear evidence to use routinely post-operative antibiotics to reduce post-tonsillectomy morbidities.