Treatment of post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage with nebulized tranexamic acid: A retrospective study

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the association of treatment with nebulized tranexamic acid (TXA) with rates of operative intervention in post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage (PTH).

Methods: Single tertiary-referral center and satellite hospitals, retrospective cohort of adult and pediatric patients who were diagnosed with PTH in 2015-2022 and treated with nebulized TXA and standard care, compared with an age- and gender-matched control cohort treated with standard care. Patients were typically treated in the emergency department with a single dose of 500mg/5 mL TXA delivered via nebulizer.

Results: 1110 total cases of PTH were observed, and 83 were treated with nebulized TXA. Compared to 249 age- and gender-matched PTH controls, TXA-treated patients had a rate of operating room (OR) intervention of 36.1% versus 60.2% (p < 0.0001) and a rate of repeat bleeding of 4.9% versus 14.2% (p < 0.02). The odds ratio for OR intervention with TXA treatment was 0.37 (95% CI 0.22, 0.63). There were no adverse effects identified with an average follow-up time of 586 days.

Conclusion: Treatment of PTH with nebulized TXA is associated with lower rates of operative intervention and lower rates of repeat bleeding events. Prospective studies are needed to further characterize efficacy and optimal treatment protocols.

Keywords: Adenotonsillectomy; Post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage; Tonsillectomy; Tranexamic acid tonsillectomy hemorrhage.