Ambulatory tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy: complications and associated factors

This is a case-control study of over 500 cases of tonsillectomy and adenotonsillectomy performed at the Montreal Children's Hospital over a 10-month period. Demographics of patient population and selection criteria for out-patient procedure are presented. The hot (cautery) and cold (knife) dissection techniques are compared. Complications including intraoperative and postoperative hemorrhage are presented. The recognition of aerodigestive tract complications necessitating re-admission or emergency room management cannot be over emphasized. Recent history of upper airway infection (UAI) was noted to be associated with postoperative aerodigestive tract complications. The triad of UAI, knife dissection technique and increased intraoperative bleeding was found to be associated clinically and statistically with primary postoperative hemorrhage.