An aberrant artery as a cause of massive bleeding following adenoidectomy.
Bleeding following adenoidectomy is a rare complication of this surgical procedure, and usually occurs in the first post-operative hours. In almost all cases it is related to adenoid remnants. Removal of these remnants under a second general anaesthetic is the treatment of choice. We report a case of massive bleeding three days following adenoidectomy related to the injury of an aberrant ascending pharyngeal artery during adenoidectomy performed elsewhere. Signs of manifest shock necessitated an immediate ligature of the external carotid artery and its individual branches. The post-operative course was uneventful. Two years later the boy underwent tonsillectomy without complications.
Windfuhr
J P
JP
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Plastic Head and Neck Surgery, St. Anna Hospital, Duisburg, Germany. jwindfuhr@aol.com
D000233:Adenoidectomy; D001158:Arteries / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000293:injuries; D002342:Carotid Artery, External / Q000601:surgery; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007049:Iatrogenic Disease; D008026:Ligation; D008297:Male; D010614:Pharynx / Q000098:blood supply*; D019106:Postoperative Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D012086:Reoperation