Post-tonsillectomy haemorrhage rates at Nelson Hospital

Abstract

Removal of the tonsils and adenoids are common procedures performed across the globe. While the number of operations have been decreasing steadily over the past several decades, tonsillectomy remains the second most common day case surgery in the paediatric population. Although considered safe, tonsillectomy can manifest complications including nausea, pain, and difficulty eating. The most significant complication following surgical removal of the tonsils is post-tonsillectomy haemorrhage (PTH), which can develop immediately post-operatively or up to two weeks from the procedure. Clinical practice guidelines advocate the need for annual audits in centres where tonsillectomies are performed to ensure PTH rates are similar to international figures. We have investigated the complication of bleeding following patients undergoing tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, or adenotonsillectomy in Nelson to assess PTH rates.