Characteristics Of Post-Tonsillectomy Hemorrhage Patients And Our Approach To These Patients

Abstract

Background/Aim: Tonsillectomy is one of the most common operations performed by Otorhinolaryngologists (Ear Nose Throat, ENT) in practice and can lead to important complications. Post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage is one of the major complications. The aim of the study was to present the characteristics and treatment approaches of patients who were admitted to our clinic with post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage, followed-up and treated. Methods: Patients who applied to Otorhinolaryngology Clinic of our hospital between January 2014 and December 2020 with complaints of bleeding from the tonsil after tonsillectomy were included in this study. Patient files and hospital automation system were reviewed retrospectively Results: A total of 634 tonsillectomy operations were performed in our clinic between 2014 and 2020. Of these, 34 patients had post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage. 20 (58.8%) patients were male and 14 (41.2%) were female, and the mean age was 20.5 years (7-40 years). Of the 34 patients who were intervened in our clinic, 14 (41.1%) were in the pediatric age group and 20 (58.9%) were in the adult age group. 7 (20.5%) of the cases were primary hemorrhage that occurred in the first 24 hours after the operation. In the present study, 14 patients had bleeding from both sides and 14 patients from the left side. Conclusion: Patients who present with post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage should be hospitalized, even for observation purposes, vascular access must be established, and both examination and vital signs and hematological parameters should be closely monitored, and life-threatening complications should be prevented by timely interventions

Keywords

• tonsillectomy
• hemorrhage
• complication

References

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