Influence of meteorological conditions on post-tonsillectomy haemorrhage.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the relationship between the incidence of primary post-tonsillectomy haemorrhage and the daily weather condition, over a five-year period.


METHODS
This was a retrospective study carried out in the ENT department of the Split University Hospital between January 2000 and December 2004.


RESULTS
Out of 3377 patients undergoing tonsillectomy, primary post-operative haemorrhage occurred in 83 (2.5 per cent). The season, daily atmospheric pressure and daily change in atmospheric pressure did not have any significant influence on post-tonsillectomy haemorrhage incidence. However, there was a statistically significant increase in the incidence of primary post-operative haemorrhage when cyclonic conditions prevailed (p = 0.035).


CONCLUSIONS
The incidence of primary post-tonsillectomy haemorrhage in our study population was 2.5 per cent. Avoiding tonsillectomy during cyclonic weather conditions may reduce the incidence of primary post-tonsillectomy haemorrhage.
Racic
G
G
ENT Department, Split University Hospital, Croatia. racic@kbsplit.hr
Kurtovic
D
D
Colovic
Z
Z
Dogas
Z
Z
Kardum
G
G
Roje
Z
Z
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D055907:Climatic Processes; D017523:Croatia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019106:Postoperative Hemorrhage / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014068:Tonsillectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014887:Weather; D055815:Young Adult