[Postoperative bleeding after tonsillectomy between 1985 and 2001 and experiences to perform laser tonsillotomy].
BACKGROUND
Tonsillectomy is one of the most often performed surgery in our specialty. But postoperative bleeding is not only a statistic risk, it can lead to a tragic end individually. In the future and according to the DRGs, a postoperative stay in hospital for more than 6 days will be difficult to realise.


METHODS
10 052 patients after tonsillectomy were measured, 7663 were performed in the ORL-Department of Würzburg, 2389 in the ORL-Department of Augsburg. Further data was measured by questioning the parents of 65 young children after lasertonsillotomy.


METHODS
The patient group of the tonsillectomies included all ages, the group of the lasertonsillotomies included young children aged 1- 6 years.


RESULTS
The first spike of bleedings of the ORL-Department in Würzburg was found within the first 24 hours after surgery. A second spike showed between the 5 (th) and 7 (th) postoperative day, an other after the 8 (th) and 15 (th) postoperative day. In the ORL-Department Augsburg the main spike was found from the 7 (th) until the 9 (th) postoperative day. No postoperative bleedings were found in the lasertonsillotomies.


CONCLUSIONS
A postoperative stay in hospital is sufficient for 3 days, but should vary individually. On young children with symptomatic hyperplasia of the tonsils a lasertonsillotomy should be performed.
Günzel
Th
T
HNO-Klinik, Zentralklinikum Augsburg.
Zenev
E
E
Heinze
N
N
Schwager
K
K
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003953:Diagnosis-Related Groups; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006965:Hyperplasia / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D007223:Infant; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D014066:Palatine Tonsil / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D010290:Parents; D019106:Postoperative Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D014068:Tonsillectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*
Tonsillektomienachblutungen im Zeitraum von 1985 bis 2001 und Erfahrungen bei der Anwendung der Lasertonsillotomie bei Kleinkindern.