Intracapsular versus extracapsular tonsil surgery: Comparison of postoperative haemorrhage outcomes in the Australasian setting

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the incidence and timing of postoperative haemorrhage between intracapsular (ICT) and extracapsular tonsillectomy (ECT) techniques and evaluate factors influencing haemorrhage risk and severity.

Methods: A retrospective review of patients undergoing tonsillectomy over 5 years across otolaryngology services in Australia and New Zealand. Primary outcomes were rate and timing of post-tonsillectomy haemorrhage.

Results: A total of 12,275 patients were included in this study. The overall post-tonsillectomy bleed rate was 3.3 %, with 0.65 % requiring return to theatre. ICT had a significantly lower bleed rate of 1.7 % compared to 4.1 % for ECT (p < 0.001). The rate of return to theatre was markedly lower for ICT (0.08 %) compared to ECT (0.93 %, p < 0.001). Median day of bleeding was not different between the techniques. Patients undergoing surgery for recurrent tonsillitis had the highest rate of postoperative haemorrhage (15 %), while those with sleep-disordered breathing alone had the lowest (3 %, p < 0.001).

Conclusion: ICT results in significantly lower rates of postoperative haemorrhage and need for surgical intervention compared to ECT. This was most pronounced in paediatric patients with sleep-disordered breathing. ICT may be considered a preferable option for certain patient groups, especially younger children with sleep-disordered breathing, though more evidence is needed to confirm its efficacy and safety in patients with recurrent tonsillitis.

Keywords: Extracapsular; Intracapsular; Paediatric otolaryngology; Postoperative haemorrhage; Tonsillectomy.