Ketorolac usage in tonsillectomy and uvulopalatopharyngoplasty patients

Postoperative pain for tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy or uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) can be severe. Ketorolac is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug that can be administered for analgesia in these patients. In the literature, ketorolac has been associated with an increased risk of hemorrhage after tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy. Many other surgical fields have successfully utilized this medicine for postoperative pain control without increased incidence of hemorrhage. The goal of this study was to analyze the effectiveness of ketorolac after tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy or UPPP in adults on postoperative hemorrhage rates.

Adult patients older than 18 years of age who underwent tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy and UPPP between 2013 and 2018 were assessed to determine hemorrhage rates. Hemorrhage rates were assessed based on patients presenting to the emergency department with complaint of hemorrhage.

There was no significant difference between groups in the postoperative hemorrhage rates (P = .331) or the method of hemorrhage control.

Ketorolac did not increase postoperative hemorrhage rates in patients posttonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy or UPPP.

4 Laryngoscope, 130:876-879, 2020.