title: Peritonsillar abscess--critical analysis of abscess tonsillectomy.
abstract: The risk of secondary haemorrhage following abscess tonsillectomy is reported in the literature with differing rates. A retro- and prospective analysis of complication rates following abscess tonsillectomy was conducted in 142 patients (54 females, 88 males; mean age: 35 years). In 22% of patients, a secondary haemorrhage occurred. In half of these (11% of total), the haemorrhage had to be treated surgically. Secondary haemorrhage occurred most commonly on the 6th and 8th postoperative days. Reports in the literature are not in unison about the risk of secondary haemorrhage following abscess tonsillectomy and therefore allow no final judgement about an objective risk of this complication. This report strengthens the results of the 'Comparative Audit Service' analysis from 1997, which did show a high risk of secondary haemorrhage following tonsillectomy, as well as following abscess tonsillectomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Philipps University of Marburg, Germany.
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Dünne
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Granger
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Folz
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sesterhenn
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Werner
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000039:Peritonsillar Abscess / Q000601:surgery*; D019106:Postoperative Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014068:Tonsillectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods