Post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage: incidence, prevention and management

Abstract

Tonsillectomy (with or without adenoidectomy) continues to be a commonly performed operation in the United States. Over the years, the incidence of post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage (reported between 0% and 20%) has decreased, but continues to pose serious problems. We reviewed 1,445 tonsillectomies performed over a 2-year period to study the incidence of post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage. Thirty-eight of 1,445 children (2.62%) had postoperative bleeding. The incidence of primary hemorrhage (within 24 hours) was 0.14%. Delayed hemorrhage requiring operative intervention or observation in the hospital was 1.03% and 0.76%, respectively. Ten patients (0.69%) had delayed hemorrhage of a minor nature that had stopped by the time they reached the hospital; these children were treated with observation alone and did not require hospitalization or operative intervention. The proposed reasons for this low rate of post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage include complete preoperative coagulation screening, meticulous attention to surgical technique, use of suction-cautery to obtain hemostasis and, possibly, use of postoperative antibiotics. Management of hemorrhage is discussed with respect to observation, surgical intervention, and blood transfusion.