Alexandra C G Fonseca1, Margaret I Engelhardt1, Zhen J Huang1, Zi Yang Jiang1, Sancak Yuksel1, Soham Roy2. 1. McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, 6431 Fannin Street, Houston, TX 77030, United States. 2. McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, 6431 Fannin Street, Houston, TX 77030, United States. Electronic address: soham.roy@uth.tmc.edu.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To review rates of post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage (PTH) at a quaternary medical center, including the impact of narcotic versus nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) postoperative pain management. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of tonsillectomies conducted at a single institution between 1/1/2013 and 1/1/2017. The rates of PTH and subsequent intervention were calculated. These were categorized into patients having surgery pre- and post-July 1, 2015, the former group receiving narcotics and the latter ibuprofen with acetaminophen. RESULTS: Of 1351 total tonsillectomies, 3.04% had PTH requiring return to the hospital. 0.74% required no further surgical intervention, whereas 2.30% required secondary surgical control. The bleed rate prior to July 2015 was 3.15%, with 1.05% non-surgical bleeds and 2.10% requiring surgery. Post-July 2015, the bleed rate was 2.92%, with 0.44% non-surgical bleeds and 2.49% requiring surgery. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups with respect to overall, non-surgical, and surgical hemorrhage rates (p > 0.05). Of the total bleeds, the need for secondary surgery in the narcotic group was 66.7% and 85% in the NSAID group (p = 0.18). During the study period, 36 patients with PTH had their initial tonsillectomy performed at outside institutions; 53% required surgical intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Secondary hemorrhage remains a significant cause of morbidity in post-tonsillectomy patients, often requiring surgical intervention. This review found no increased bleeding risk associated with use of ibuprofen and acetaminophen as opposed to narcotic pain relief. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.
PURPOSE: To review rates of post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage (PTH) at a quaternary medical center, including the impact of narcotic versus nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) postoperative pain management. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of tonsillectomies conducted at a single institution between 1/1/2013 and 1/1/2017. The rates of PTH and subsequent intervention were calculated. These were categorized into patients having surgery pre- and post-July 1, 2015, the former group receiving narcotics and the latter ibuprofen with acetaminophen. RESULTS: Of 1351 total tonsillectomies, 3.04% had PTH requiring return to the hospital. 0.74% required no further surgical intervention, whereas 2.30% required secondary surgical control. The bleed rate prior to July 2015 was 3.15%, with 1.05% non-surgical bleeds and 2.10% requiring surgery. Post-July 2015, the bleed rate was 2.92%, with 0.44% non-surgical bleeds and 2.49% requiring surgery. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups with respect to overall, non-surgical, and surgical hemorrhage rates (p > 0.05). Of the total bleeds, the need for secondary surgery in the narcotic group was 66.7% and 85% in the NSAID group (p = 0.18). During the study period, 36 patients with PTH had their initial tonsillectomy performed at outside institutions; 53% required surgical intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Secondary hemorrhage remains a significant cause of morbidity in post-tonsillectomy patients, often requiring surgical intervention. This review found no increased bleeding risk associated with use of ibuprofen and acetaminophen as opposed to narcotic pain relief. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.
Authors: Amr F Hamour; Frederick Laliberte; Jordan Levy; Jason Xu; Edward Park; Vincent Lin; John de Almeida; Julie Strychowsky; Antoine Eskander; Eric Monteiro Journal: World J Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Surg Date: 2022-03-09
Authors: Tasce Bongiovanni; Elizabeth Lancaster; Yeranuí Ledesma; Evans Whitaker; Michael A Steinman; Isabel Elaine Allen; Andrew Auerbach; Elizabeth Wick Journal: J Am Coll Surg Date: 2021-01-27 Impact factor: 6.532