Significantly reducing post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage requiring surgery by double-layer suture: A retrospective...

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Surgical Outcomes
• Hemorrhage Control

Background:

• Postoperative hemorrhage is the most common complication following tonsillectomy.
• Tonsillectomy, while generally low-risk, necessitates strategies to mitigate bleeding complications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare secondary hemorrhage rates in patients undergoing coblation tonsillectomy with versus without double-layer suture.
• To evaluate the efficacy of suturing in preventing postoperative bleeding after tonsillectomy.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 5087 patients undergoing coblation tonsillectomy (2006-2016).
• Comparison of severe secondary hemorrhage rates requiring surgical intervention between sutured and non-sutured groups.
• Analysis of hemorrhage rates based on age group and postoperative day.

Main Results:

• The severe secondary hemorrhage rate was significantly higher in the non-sutured group (1.96%) compared to the sutured group (1.08%).
• Patients aged 18-49 without suture showed a higher secondary hemorrhage rate (2.44%).
• Postoperative hemorrhage on day 5 was significantly higher in the non-sutured group (0.96%) versus the sutured group (0.36%).

Conclusions:

• Coblation tonsillectomy utilizing double-layer suture reduces the risk of severe secondary hemorrhage.
• Suturing is associated with lower secondary hemorrhage rates, especially in adult patients (18-49 years) and on the 5th postoperative day.