Post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage: incidence, prevention and management.

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Pediatric Surgery

Background:

• Tonsillectomy is a frequent pediatric surgical procedure.
• Post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage remains a significant complication, with reported rates varying widely.

Observation:

• A retrospective review of 1,445 tonsillectomies was conducted over two years.
• The study aimed to determine the incidence of post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage.

Findings:

• Overall post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage incidence was 2.62%.
• Primary hemorrhage (within 24 hours) was 0.14%.
• Delayed hemorrhage requiring intervention or observation was 1.03% and 0.76%, respectively. Minor delayed hemorrhage occurred in 0.69% of patients.

Implications:

• Meticulous surgical technique, preoperative coagulation screening, and suction-cautery contribute to low hemorrhage rates.
• Effective management strategies include observation, surgical intervention, and blood transfusion.
• This study provides valuable data on hemorrhage incidence and management in pediatric tonsillectomy.