Comparison between Post-tonsillectomy Bleeding of Three Different Techniques in Children

Introduction: Post-tonsillectomy bleeding remains the most serious complication of tonsillectomy. The rate of post tonsillectomy bleeding varies with different technique. The common used techniques are the bipolar, monopolar and cold. Methods: This was a retrospective case series study based on chart review of children under 14 years who underwent tonsillectomy during the period between January 2010 to December 2011 at King Abdulaziz Medical City (KAMC), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – ENT department. The charts of all the patients were reviewed by the student and the data form filled for included patients for the age, gender, indications for tonsillectomy, previous surgery, medications, admission type, technique used which are the bipolar, monopolar and cold technique and complications. Results: Out of 60 patients reviewed, post tonsillectomy bleeding was reported in 16 (27%). Indications for tonsillectomy were six indications and most common one was recurrent adenotonsillitis in 27 (46%). Intraoprative bleeding was 8 cases (13%) which was the most common type of bleeding and there was no significant difference in post tonsillectomy bleeding between the three techniques (p=0.62). Conclusion: The result showed that there was no significant difference in post tonsillectomy bleeding between the three techniques.