Evaluation of posttonsillectomy hemorrhage and risk factors

Background: A 13-year retrospective study was undertaken to determine the incidence of posttonsillectomy hemorrhage, to evaluate potential risk factors, and to assess the efficacy and safety of ambulatory tonsillectomy. Methods: From January 1985 to December 1997, 4662 patients underwent tonsillectomy at our institution. Ninety patients with posttonsillectomy bleeding were identified. For each patient with posttonsillectomy bleeding, 2 nonbleeding control subjects were selected and matched by age and sex to evaluate potential risk factors. Results: Age was the only factor found to be statistically significant among the bleeding patients and the control group. The highest incidence (3.61%) of posttonsillectomy hemorrhage occurred in patients 21 to 30 years of age. In our experience, secondary hemorrhage was more common than primary hemorrhage, presenting most frequently on postoperative days 5 to 7. Conclusions: The incidence of posttonsillectomy bleeding in this review was 1.93%, and about half (47%) of the patients with posttonsillectomy hemorrhage returned to the operating room for hemorrhage control. The highest incidence (3.61%) of posttonsillectomy hemorrhage occurred in patients 21 to 30 years of age. Patients with posttonsillectomy hemorrhage, regardless of management, had a 12% incidence of subsequent hemorrhage. We found no difference in the incidence of posttonsillectomy bleeding between outpatient and inpatient procedures. (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2000;123:229–35.)