Intensity of hemorrhage following tonsillectomy.
OBJECTIVE
Although post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage is one of the most frequent and potentially life-threatening complications, there is no generally accepted classification of post-operative bleeding intensity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the intensity of post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage according to the five-grade classification.


METHODS
A total of 408 consecutive patients, aged 2 to 54 years, undergoing elective tonsillectomy, with (n = 261) or without (n = 147) adenoidectomy, were included in this prospective study. Tonsillectomy was performed under general anesthesia using standard technique of cold dissection with a snare. Any bleeding event was recorded. The severity of post-operative hemorrhage was classified in five grades.


RESULTS
In 11 (2.70%) of the patients grade 1 hemorrhage following tonsillectomy occurred, 4 (0.98%) had grade 2 and 2 (0.49%) of the patients had grade 3 post-operative bleeding. Grades 4 and 5 were not recorded, and no patient received a blood transfusion.


CONCLUSIONS
Post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage can be expected in a small number of patients undergoing tonsillectomy. Hemorrhage is mostly primary and rarely requires treatment under endotracheal anesthesia and blood transfusion.
University Hospital Zvezdara, Ear, Nose and Throat Department, Belgrade, Serbia. d.n.milosevic@gmail.com
Dusanka N
DN
Milobević
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019106:Postoperative Hemorrhage / Q000145:classification*; D014068:Tonsillectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D055815:Young Adult