Predictors for hemorrhage following pediatric adenotonsillectomy

Parents' Perception on Post-tonsillectomy Hemorrhage: A Local Survey

INTRODUCTION

Tonsillectomy (often combined with adenoidectomy) is one of the oldest and most common surgical procedures performed in otolaryngology. Post-operative complications following tonsillectomy are generally rare and include post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage, dehydration, velopharyngeal insufficiency, and others. Parents play a crucial role in the care and recovery of their children after tonsillectomy. Their perception and understanding of post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage are essential in managing and addressing this potential complication.

AIM

The purpose of this study is to assess parents' perception of post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage and factors that would lead to its development.

METHODS

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted targeting parents of children who had undergone surgical tonsillectomy. Data were collected using a pre-structured online questionnaire, biographical data, tonsillectomy data, child medical and drug history, healthcare staff role, and post-surgical complications and bleeding.

RESULTS

A total of 847 parents completed the study questionnaire, and 431 (50.9%) were fathers. As for education, 164 (19.4%) had a university level of education, and 279 (32.9%) had a post-graduate degree. As for child gender, 445 (52.5%) were males, 232 (27.4%) had undergone the surgery in the first five years of their age, 208 (24.6%) at the age of 6-10 years, and 221 (26.1%) undergone the surgery at the age of 16-18 years. The most reported post-surgical complications included headaches and nausea (52.4%), swelling of the roof of the mouth (51.8%), and infection (48.9%). Primary or secondary post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage was reported among 47 (5.5%) of the children, which was during surgery among 12 (25.5%), within 24 hours after surgery among 14 (29.8%), and after 24 hours of surgery among 21 (44.7%).

CONCLUSION

The current study revealed a high rate of tonsillectomy-associated bleeding with a shortage regarding the role of healthcare staff in child pre-surgical assessment and also in parents' education regarding expected complications.

Effect of Body Mass Index on Post Tonsillectomy Hemorrhages

AIMS

Obesity affects adverse outcomes in patients undergoing various surgeries. The study was carried out to assess the clinical association between body mass index and post tonsillectomy hemorrhages.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This prospective study was carried out on 60 patients, age between 5 and 40 years, admitted in Department of ENT with chronic tonsillitis. Body mass index and post tonsillectomy hemorrhage were evaluated in all patients who underwent surgery. Bleeding episode were categorized according to the Austrian tonsil study.

RESULTS

This prospective study was carried out on 60 patients (adults and children), between December 2021 and November 2022. All patients underwent tonsillectomy under general anaesthesia. It was seen that most of the patients did not have any significant bleeding i.e., Grade A1 (Dry, no clot), and A2 (Clot, but no active bleeding after clot removal) whereas 4 patients (6.7%) had Grade B1 post tonsillectomy hemorrhage (Minimal bleeding requiring minimal intervention by vasoconstriction using adrenaline swab). Post tonsillectomy hemorrhage was seen more in adults. Post tonsillectomy bleeding of Grade B1 was recored in 28.6% of underweight patients, 8% of normal weight patients and no significant bleeding occurred in any of the overweight and obese patients (p-value 0.256).

CONCLUSION

Overweight and obesity (higher BMI) did not increase the risk of post tonsillectomy hemorrhage in either children or adults.

Readmission after OSA surgery in pediatric patients

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to determine the readmission rate after adenotonsillectomy with the diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and analyze the factors associated with readmission.

METHODS

It was planned as a retrospective study conducted in a single institution that included pediatric patients who underwent adenotonsillectomy with OSA diagnosis between December 2018 and March 2021. Patients who were readmitted for bleeding or pain/dehydration were compared with those who did not require readmission.

RESULTS

The mean postoperative admission time was 7.27 ± 3.49 days in patients with bleeding and 3.5 ± 2.27 days in patients with pain or dehydration. The mean length of stay in the hospital was 2.6 ± 1.6 days in patients with bleeding and 3.13 ± 2.03 days in patients with pain or dehydration. The postoperative admission time was 5.96 ± 3.57 days, and the hospital stay after readmission was 2.78 ± 1.73 days. No statistically significant correlation was found in terms of age, gender, surgeon's experience, use of electrocautery and seasonality factors, and readmission rates.

CONCLUSIONS

In children who underwent adenotonsillectomy for OSA, the hospitalization period of patients hospitalized due to pain/dehydration is much longer than patients admitted with bleeding. Therefore, measures to reduce pain or dehydration have the most significant potential to reduce the readmission rate and length of stay.

Study of Patients’ Return to Surgery Post-Tonsillectomy and/or Adenoidectomy: A Relation Between Patient Age and Timing of Uncontrolled Bleeding

Background: Tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy (T/A) are common surgical procedures. Postoperative uncontrolled bleeding is a well-established complication; however, the relation between certain variables and uncontrolled bleeding are unclear. Methods: We explored the Pennsylvania Patient Safety Reporting System database for event reports that described a patient who had a T/A procedure and later returned to surgery to control bleeding. We analyzed the post-T/A bleeding events according to numerous variables, such as patient sex and age, timing of the bleed, procedure performed (i.e., tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy), and bleeding site. Results: We identified 219 event reports from 56 healthcare facilities over a four-year period. The study revealed that 78% of the patients were discharged and then returned to surgery to control bleeding. Patients ranged in age from 1–45 years and 53% were female. Among the 219 events, 41% were a primary bleed (0–1 postoperative days) and 59% were a secondary bleed (2–30 postoperative day). Additionally, 0–1 days and 6–7 days after operation were the periods when patients most frequently returned to surgery (range of 0–30 days). We expanded upon much of the previous research by exploring the relation between patient age and days postoperative return to surgery. We found that a majority of patients in age categories 1–10, 11–20, and 21–30 years had a secondary bleed; in contrast, a majority of patients age 31–45 had a primary bleed. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that the post-T/A timing of uncontrolled bleeding may vary systematically as a function of patient age; however, future research is needed to better understand this topic. We encourage readers to use our findings, along with findings from previous research, to inform their practice and strategies to mitigate risk of patient harm.

The effect of nutritional status on post-operative outcomes in pediatric otolaryngology-head and neck surgery

INTRODUCTION

Nutritional status can affect surgical patients in terms of stress response, healing time, and outcomes. Several abnormalities are known to have a high prevalence in the general population such as vitamin D deficiency (VDD) and subclinical hypothyroidism. We hypothesized that there will be elevated rates of nutritional deficiencies in preoperative patients which may adversely affect postoperative outcomes following pediatric otolaryngology surgery.

METHODS

IRB approval was obtained for a cross-sectional cohort study. Consecutive patients underwent nutritional evaluation when being scheduled for surgery including TSH, albumin and vitamin D. Demographic data, supplementation, and early complication rates were collected.

RESULTS

125 patients were included in the final cohort with adequate demographic distribution. Based on anthropometric data, 12% of our cohort was found to be undernourished, and 40% of our cohort with elevated BMI. However, there was no relationship found between Z-scores and complications. VDD was noted in 83/125 (66.4%) patients. Our cohort had increased rates of VDD in patients with elevated BMI and African American ethnicity. Thyroid hormone abnormalities were present in 12 patients. Mean serum albumin level was 4.29 in our cohort all within normal range. We did find increased risk of postoperative complications in patients with previously diagnosed comorbidities. (p=0.006).

CONCLUSION

There is no current recommendation or consensus for nutritional assessment in preoperative pediatric patients. Our study did not show statistically significant correlation with z-scores, low vitamin D levels with supplementation, albumin, or TSH to postoperative complications. However, our patient cohort had higher than average rates of VDD compared to the many studies of the general pediatric population and significant negative correlation between vitamin D levels and z-scores. By early preoperative identification of VDD and supplementation with calciferol, we found no significant difference in complication rates in patients based on their initial vitamin D status. We suggest screening preoperative patients using z-score calculations and vitamin D levels based on individual patient risk factors including atrisk patient populations such as African American children, and obese children.

Does perioperative ketorolac increase bleeding risk after intracapsular tonsillectomy?

IMPORTANCE

Conflicting evidence exists regarding the post-tonsillectomy bleed risk associated with perioperative ketorolac use in the pediatric population. Surgical technique for tonsillectomy can further confound this risk.

OBJECTIVE

The primary objective was to retrospectively quantify the post-tonsillectomy bleed rate after single-dose administration of ketorolac in pediatric patients following intracapsular tonsillectomy. The secondary objective was to determine if age, sex, body mass index, medical comorbidities, and indication for surgery increased post-tonsillectomy bleed risk.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study of 1920 children who underwent intracapsular tonsillectomies between January 2017 and December 2018.

SETTING

This study was completed at a tertiary-care pediatric referral center.

PARTICIPANTS

1920 children who underwent intracapsular tonsillectomies between January 2017 and December 2018 at a single tertiary-care children's hospital.

EXPOSURES

Patients were divided into two cohorts: 1458 patients (75.9%) received ketorolac (K+), and 462 (24.1%) did not (NK). Age, sex, body mass index, comorbidities, and indication for surgery also were evaluated for association with post-tonsillectomy bleed risk.

MAIN OUTCOME(S) AND MEASURE(S)

Primary study outcome for both cohorts was post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage requiring operative intervention.

RESULTS

1920 study participants were included with an average age of 6.5 years; 51.5% of participants were males; and, 63.9% were white. Overall, the postoperative bleeding rate was 1.5%. However, there was no significant difference when comparing bleeding rates for the ketorolac group and the non-keterolac group (1.4%-1.7%; P = .82) Age, chronic tonsillitis, higher body mass index Z-scores, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and behavioral diagnoses were statistically significant risk factors for post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Single-dose postoperative ketorolac does not appear to be associated with increased risk of post-tonsillectomy bleed in pediatric patients undergoing intracapsular tonsillectomy. Providers should not avoid using ketorolac in patients undergoing intracapsular tonsillectomy due to concerns over bleeding risk.

Predictors of Occurrence and Timing of Post-Tonsillectomy Hemorrhage: A Case-Control Study

OBJECTIVE

To describe cases and timing of pediatric post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage (PTH), to evaluate predictors of PTH, and to determine the optimal amount of postoperative care unit (PACU) monitoring time.

STUDY DESIGN

Using the Pediatric Health Information System (PHIS) database and electronic medical records, a matched case-control study from 2005 to 2015 was performed.

SETTING

A single, tertiary-care institution.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Each case of PTH was matched with 1 to 4 controls for the following factors: age, sex, surgeon, and time of year. A total of 124 cases of PTH and 479 tonsillectomy controls were included. The rate and timing of postoperative bleeding were assessed, and matched pair analysis was performed using conditional logistic regression.

RESULTS

Our institutional PTH rate of 1.9% (130 of 6949) included 124 patients; 15% (19) were primary (≤24 hours), with 50% (9) occurring within 5 hours. Twenty-one percent (4 of 19) of primary PTH patients received operative intervention. Eighty-five percent (105 of 124) of all cases were secondary PTH, and 47% (49) of those patients received operative intervention. Cold steel (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.1-3.3) and Coblation (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.2-3.1) techniques and tonsillectomy alone (OR 3.7, 95% CI 1.9-7.2) increased odds of PTH. Patients who developed PTH had 4 times the odds of having a preceding postoperative respiratory event than controls (OR 4.0, 95% CI 1.6-10.0).

CONCLUSION

We conducted a rigorous case-control study for PTH, finding that PTH was associated with use of cold steel and Coblation techniques and with tonsillectomy alone. Patients with a postoperative respiratory event may be more likely to develop a PTH and should be counseled accordingly. A PACU monitoring time of 4 hours is sufficient for outpatient tonsillectomy.

Pediatric obstructive sleep apnea revisited: Perioperative considerations for the pediatric Anesthesiologist

Pediatric obstructive sleep apnea presents in up to 7% of children and represents a constellation from nasal turbulence to cessation in gas exchange. There are numerous end organ sequelae including neurocognitive morbidity associated with persistent OSA. Adenotonsillectomy (AT), the first line therapy for pediatric OSA, has not been demonstrated to reduce all end organ morbidity, specifically neurological and behavioral morbidity. Furthermore, certain at-risk populations are at higher risk from neurocognitive morbidity. Precise knowledge and perioperative planning is required to ensure optimal evidence-based practices in children with OSA. This comprehensive review covers the seminal perioperative implications of OSA, including preoperative polysomnography, pharmacotherapeutics, and postoperative risk stratification.

The Impact of Comorbid Diseases on Postoperative Complications in Children after Adenotonsillectomy: Is It a Myth?

Objective

Adenotonsillar surgery remains the second most common surgical practice in pediatric otolaryngology. We aimed to evaluate whether a comorbid disease in children undergoing surgery has any impact on postoperative complication rate.

Methods

This study was conducted at a tertiary otolaryngology department with 643 children. The study included children with symptoms of obstructive sleep-disordered breathing and recurrent infection who underwent adenotonsillar surgery. Patients with a comorbid disease constituted the study group and otherwise healthy children constituted the control group. The data were evaluated to find out any association among clinical variables such as gender, age, tonsil grade, type and extent of surgery, indication for surgery, body mass index percentile, comorbid diseases and postoperative complications.

Results

There were 245 (38.1%) patients with a comorbid disease. The most common comorbidity was cardiovascular diseases (n=68) followed by neurological diseases (n=48). We performed adenoidectomy in 319, tonsillectomy in 44, tonsillotomy in nine, adenotonsillectomy (AT) in 190 and adenoidectomy with tonsillotomy (ATT) in 81 patients. The overall rate of postoperative late complication was 17/643 (2.6%) with post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage being the most common (n=10). There was no association between other clinical variables and the complication but older age (p=0.042) and type of surgery (p<0.001) revealed increased risk. The rates of complications in patients with or without comorbid disease were found 5/245 (2%) and 12/389 (3%), respectively, with no difference (p=0.621).

Conclusion

The risk of postoperative complications was increased in older children and in patients undergoing AT and ATT, however, the presence of comorbid disease did not increase likelihood of postoperative complications.

Pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Neurocognition

Pediatric obstructive sleep apnea affects a large number of children and has multiple end-organ sequelae. Although many of these have been demonstrated to be reversible, the effects on some of the organ systems, including the brain, have not shown easy reversibility. Progress in this area has been hampered by lack of a preclinical model to study the disease. Therefore, perioperative and sleep physicians are tasked with making a number of difficult decisions, including optimal surgical timing to prevent disease evolution, but also to keep the perioperative morbidity in a safe range for these patients.

Evaluation of Secondary Post-Tonsillectomy Bleeding among Children in Saudi Arabia: Risk Factor Analysis

BACKGROUND

Tonsillectomy is one of the most widely recognized surgeries for tonsillitis. It is the default surgery option for obstructive sleep apnea, recurrent tonsillitis, and recurrent peritonsillar abscess. However, there are limited risk factor analyses in Saudi Arabia related to tonsillectomy. The goal of study is to evaluate and analyze the risk factors for secondary post-tonsillectomy bleeding in Saudi Arabia.

METHOD

This retrospective review study was directed at King Abdullah Specialized Children's Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Univariate and multivariate investigations were performed to decide the risk factors.

RESULTS

A total of 713 children were included. Post-tonsillectomy bleeding occurred in only 5.3% of tonsillectomies. There was no seasonal variation impact on post-tonsillectomy bleeding rate (P = .8). The multivariate analysis showed a significant association between post-tonsillectomy bleeding and both age (odds ratio [OR] = 1.156; 95% CI: 1.007-1.326; P = .039) and sleep disorder breathing/obstructive sleep apnea (OR = 3.581; 95% CI: 1.454-8.820; P = .006).

CONCLUSION

This study revealed that age, sleep disorder/obstructive sleep apnea, and longer hospital stay after tonsillectomy are significant risk factors for post-tonsillectomy bleeding. This study provides an important baseline for further local studies in the future.

Intra-capsular complete tonsillectomy, a modification of surgical technique to eliminate delayed post-operative bleeding

Pediatric tonsillectomy is a frequently performed procedure using a variety of surgical techniques. Despite decades of modern surgical experience and advances in tools and techniques, a consensus on which technique is superior for minimizing complications has not been established. In a 2014 study, the authors examined differing surgical techniques and devices to determine if there was a significant difference in the bleed rates based on technique and device [1]. In that study 7024 children were evaluated, of which a total of 1.4% (n = 99) of children experienced a postoperative hemorrhage that required a second surgery. There was no significant difference found between the four different techniques that were evaluated. Although the combined rates of post-operative hemorrhage requiring a second surgery was lower compared to many other published reports, we hypothesized that continued improvement in surgical techniques could eliminate post-operative hemorrhage completely. As follow up to that study, we decided on a collective change in technique, and subsequent analysis of our post-operative results with respect to only one outcome, post-operative hemorrhage requiring a second surgery. With a new standardized technique in place, we retrospectively evaluated one year of surgical outcomes. These procedures were performed using the technique of a modified and complete, intra-capsular Coblator tonsillectomy. Of the 783 tonsillectomies done in 12 months, we found there were 0 patients that had experienced a postoperative hemorrhage requiring a second surgery. Based on our previous study with a rate of 1.4% post-operative hemorrhage we would have expected to have 11 episodes of post-operative hemorrhage requiring a second surgery.