Does hydrogen peroxide mouthwash improve the outcome of secondary post-tonsillectomy bleed? A 10-year review

Abstract

Objective: To determine whether hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) mouthwash influences the outcome of secondary post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage in children.

Study design: Ten-year retrospective study of all children with secondary post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage.

Setting: Tertiary otolaryngology center.

Results: Of the 156 patients, 59 received H(2)O(2) and 97 did not. All patients received broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotics. The average rehospitalization duration due to hemorrhage was 1.7 days (H(2)O(2) group) and 1.6 days (control group). In the H(2)O(2) group, 8.5% required surgery, compared with 10.3% in the control group. Further hemorrhage episodes requiring readmission occurred in 3.4% of the H(2)O(2) group and 3.1% of controls. There was no difference between the 2 groups in rehospitalization duration (P = 0.49), rate of surgical intervention (P = 0.85), and rate of readmission with further hemorrhage (P = 0.92).

Conclusion: Hydrogen peroxide mouthwash does not improve the outcome of secondary post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage in pediatric patients.

Significance: This study does not support the common practice of treating post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage with H(2)O(2).