Risk factors for bacteremia during and after adenoidectomy and/or adenotonsillectomy

Immediate or interval abscess tonsillectomy? A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

Peritonsillar abscess is a common complication of acute tonsillitis. However, no consensus has been reached yet on the optimal treatment of this condition. Therefore, this study aimed to compare clinical outcomes of immediate and interval abscess tonsillectomy.

METHODS

The databases of PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) were searched for completed studies published until the 1st of November 2021. Comparative studies assessing intraoperative and postoperative outcomes of immediate and interval abscess tonsillectomy were considered, with the primary outcome being postoperative hemorrhage. Operative time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative pain, and duration of hospital stay were classed as secondary outcomes. A random-effects pairwise meta-analysis of both randomized and non-randomized trials was conducted. Subgroup analysis linked to the randomization of trials was executed. Quality assessment was performed, utilizing the Cochrane risk of bias tool and ROBINS-I tool for randomized and non-randomized trials, respectively.

RESULTS

Data from 265 cases stemming from six trials were pooled together. For postoperative bleeding rates, no statistically significant difference between immediate and interval tonsillectomy was detected (OR = 1.26; 95% CI 0.27, 5.86; p = 0.77). By contrast, longer hospital stay was observed for patients subjected to interval tonsillectomy (SMD = - 0.78; CI - 1.39 to- 0.17; p = 0.01). For operative time and intraoperative blood loss, no statistically significant difference was noticed between immediate and interval tonsillectomy (SMD = 1.10; 95% CI - 0.13, 2.33; p = 0.08; and SMD = 0.04; 95% CI - 0.49, 0.57; p = 0.88; respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that quinsy tonsillectomy appears to be a safe method, providing full abscess drainage and instant relief of the symptoms. Moreover, quinsy tonsillectomy was not associated with a statistically higher postoperative hemorrhage incidence rate than immediate tonsillectomy.

Antimicrobial Prophylaxis in Neonates and Children Undergoing Dental, Maxillo-Facial or Ear-Nose-Throat (ENT) Surgery: A RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method Consensus Study

Surgical site infections (SSIs) represent a potential complication in surgical procedures, mainly because clean/contaminated surgery involves organs that are normally colonized by bacteria. Dental, maxillo-facial and ear-nose-throat (ENT) surgeries are among those that carry a risk of SSIs because the mouth and the first respiratory tracts are normally colonized by a bacterial flora. The aim of this consensus document was to provide clinicians with recommendations on surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis in neonates (<28 days of chronological age) and pediatric patients (within the age range of 29 days−18 years) undergoing dental, maxillo-facial or ENT surgical procedures. These included: (1) dental surgery; (2) maxilla-facial surgery following trauma with fracture; (3) temporo-mandibular surgery; (4) cleft palate and cleft lip repair; (5) ear surgery; (6) endoscopic paranasal cavity surgery and septoplasty; (7) clean head and neck surgery; (8) clean/contaminated head and neck surgery and (9) tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. Due to the lack of pediatric data for the majority of dental, maxillo-facial and ENT surgeries and the fact that the recommendations for adults are currently used, there is a need for ad hoc studies to be rapidly planned for the most deficient areas. This seems even more urgent for interventions such as those involving the first airways since the different composition of the respiratory microbiota in children compared to adults implies the possibility that surgical antibiotic prophylaxis schemes that are ideal for adults may not be equally effective in children.

The effects of radiofrequency on the bacteriological and histological characteristics of tonsils in patients with chronic and persistent tonsillitis

OBJECTIVES

Tonsillotomy with radiofrequency (RF) is one of the newest treatments for chronic tonsillitis, but the mechanism of RF effects and complications are still pending. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of RF on the histological and bacteriological characteristics of the tonsils (Case-control study).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In fifty-two patients with chronic tonsillitis in 2017-2018, immediately after tonsillectomy, the tonsils were divided into 2sections; one sample treated with RF, and the other one considered as control, without intervention. All tonsil samples sent for histological and bacteriological study: morphometric assays made by Digitizer software, and type of bacterial colonies identified by microbiological and biochemical tests. Willcoxon and McNemar tests were used for statistical analysis and level of significance was p ≤ .05.

RESULTS

Tonsil mucosal thickness (2202.98 ± 323.09 vs. 2463.94 ± 357.61 μm) and size of the tonsil nodule (28,000.42 ± 9608.75 vs. 36,692.81 ± 7040.74 μm²) were significantly lower in the RF+ group than other group (p = .001 and p = .01, respectively). There was no significant differences in thickness of the tonsil epithelium (p = .075), number of lymphoid nodules (p = .860), and the number of reticular tonsil epithelium (p = .813) between the two groups. Bacterial growth in RF- and RF+ groups had no statistically significant difference (p = .06), however, the average colony count of S. aureus in RF+ tonsils were significantly lower, and total number of bacterial colonies were significantly lower in RF+ group(1405 ± 156 vs. 2471 ± 156), (p = .001).

CONCLUSION

RF surgery has significant effects on size of the nodules, thickness of the mucous layer and bacteriological characteristics of tonsil tissue. Especially S. aureus seems to be more sensitive to RF effects.

Complications of adenotonsillectomy in pediatric age

Although in recent years adenotonsillectomy procedures have shown an overall reduction in number, this surgery continues to be the most frequently performed in our speciality, especially in pediatric age. The progressive improvement in both surgical techniques and devices and anaesthesia has made adenotonsillectomy a less risky manoeuvre, but this does not mean that it is free from potential adverse events or even an easy, routine and risk-free procedure, as presented by some para scientific literature and mass media. Here we address issues related to the complications that can arise when performing this surgical procedure, which can be very serious.

Invasive group A Streptococcus resulting in sepsis and abdominal wall abscess after adenotonsillectomy

Systemic infectious complications following adenotonsillectomy are exceedingly rare. We describe an otherwise healthy 2-year-old patient who developed group A beta-hemolytic Streptococcus sepsis and presumptive scarlet fever 3 days after an uncomplicated adenotonsillectomy. After resolution of fever, rash, and discharge home on antibiotics, the patient returned on postoperative day 10 with an abdominal wall abscess. This is the first reported case of an abdominal wall abscess as a complication of adenotonsillectomy. This case demonstrates that an awareness of unexpected infectious complications of adenotonsillectomy should be a part of postsurgical management. Laryngoscope, 125:1230-1232, 2015.

Posttonsillectomy bacteremia and comparison of tonsillar surface and deep culture

Objective. This study aimed to identify the microorganisms of surface and depth of tonsils and whether these microorganisms bring the menace of bacteremia during tonsillectomy in the children under surgery. Materials and Methods. The culture specimens were taken from surface and depth of tonsil from the patients suffering from chronic tonsillitis at the time of operation. Also, 10 mL venous blood samples were taken 5 minutes before and after the operation for microbiological study. Results. According to the results, 112 (76.1%) and 117 (79.6%) cultures from surface and depth of tonsils represented multiple microorganisms, respectively. Besides, staphylococci coagulase positive was the most common organism in both surface and depth of tonsils. None of the preoperation blood cultures were positive, while 3 postoperation blood cultures (2.1%) were positive. Staphylococci coagulase negative and alpha hemolytic streptococcus were detected in 2 cases (1.4%) and 1 case (0.7%), respectively. Conclusion. In the present study, the two cultured sites were almost similar regarding the types of isolated microorganisms. Our results suggested that bacteremia might occur after tonsillectomy. Therefore, to avoid the possible dramatic outcomes after tonsillectomy, pre- and postoperation attendances are essential.

Bacterial meningitis after radiofrequency diathermy for adenoid hypertrophy

A 6-year-old otherwise healthy girl who underwent radiofrequency diathermy for adenoid hypertrophy presented with fever on the same day and was diagnosed as having bacterial meningitis 2 days later. Culture of cerebrospinal fluid indicated that the pathogens were penicillin-sensitive Streptococcus pneumoniae and methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus. The serotype of the causative pneumococcus, 11A, was not covered by the 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine the patient had been inoculated with. Although not previously reported, radiofrequency diathermy for adenoid hypertrophy can be considered a risk factor for bacteremia and meningitis.

Malpractice claims and unintentional outcome of tonsil surgery and other standard procedures in otorhinolaryngology

BACKGROUND

Septoplasty, tonsillectomy (with and without adenoidectomy) and cervical lymph node excision are amongst the most common 50 inpatient operations in Germany. Intracapsular tonsillectomies (i.e. tonsillotomies) are increasingly performed. The aim of this study was to evaluate technical traps and pitfalls as well as alleged medical malpractice associated with tonsillectomy (TE), adenoidectomy (AE), tonsillotomy (TT), septoplasty (SP) and cervical lymph node excision (LN).

METHODS

A questionnaire was sent to the Regional Medical Conciliation Boards, Medical Services of the Health Insurance Companies (MDK) and Regional Institutes of Forensic Medicine in Germany to collect anonymized cases of complications following TE, TT, AE, LN and SP. The results were discussed in the light of the contemporary medical literature and published trials and verdicts in Germany.

RESULTS

The response rate of our survey was 55.9%. The Institutes of Forensic Medicine contributed nine cases, 49 cases were submitted by the Regional Conciliation Boards and none by MDK. All forensic cases were associated with exsanguinations following tonsillectomy including two children (5 and 8 years of age) and seven adults (aged 20 to 69 years). The fatal post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage (PTH) had occurred 8.7 days on average; four patients experienced the bleeding episode at home (day 5, 8, 9 and 17, respectively). Repeated episodes of bleeding requiring surgical intervention had occurred in 6 patients. Three Conciliation Boards submitted decicions associated with TT (1), AE (4), LN (3), SP (16) and TE (25). Cases with lethal outcome were not registered. Only three of the 49 cases were assessed as surgical malpractice (6.1%) including lesion of the spinal accessory nerve, wrong indication for TE and dental lesion after insertion of the mouth gag. The review of the medico legal literature yielded 71 published verdicts after AE and TE (29), LN (28) and SP (14) of which 37 resulted in compensation of malpractice after LN (16; 57%), TE (10; 37%), SP (8; 57%) and AE (2; 100%). There were 16 cases of PTH amongst 27 trials after TE resulting either in death (5) or apallic syndrome (5). Bleeding complications had occurred on the day of surgery in only 2 patients. 16 trials were based on malpractice claims following SP encompassing lack of informed consent (6), anosmia (4), septal perforation (2), frontobasal injury (2) and dry nose (2). Trials after LN procedures were associated exclusively with a lesion of the spinal accessory nerve (28), including lack of informed consent in 19 cases. 49 cases (69%) were decided for the defendant, 22 (31%) were decided for the plaintiff with monetary compensation in 7 of 29 AE/TE-trials, 9 of 28 LN-trials and 6 of 14 SP-trials. Lack of informed consent was not registered for AE/TE but LN (11) and SP (2).

CONCLUSION

Complicated cases following TE, TT, ATE, SP and LN are not systematically collected in Germany. It can be assumed, that not every complicated case is published in the medical literature or law journals and therefore not obtainable for scientific research. Alleged medical malpracice is proven for less than 6% before trial stage. Approximately half of all cases result in a plaintiff verdict or settlement at court. Proper documentation of a thourough counselling, examination, indication, informed consent and follow-up assists the surgeon in litigation. An adequate complication management of PTH is essential, including instructions for the patients/parents, instructions for the medical staff and readily available surgical instruments. Successful outcome of life-threatening PTH is widely based on a proper airway management in an interdisciplinary approach. Electrosurgical tonsillectomy techniques were repeatedly labeled as a risk factor for bleeding complications following TE. Institutions should analyse the individual PTH rate on a yearly basis. Contradictory expert opinions and verdicts of the courts concerning spinal accesory nerve lesions following LN are due to a lack of a surgical standard.

Panel 7: Treatment and comparative effectiveness research

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Otitis media (OM) is one of the most common reasons for antibiotic treatment in children. Controversies regarding antibiotic treatment for OM have accumulated in the past decade, and there seem to be more dilemmas than certainties. The objectives of this article are to provide the state-of-the art review on achievements in treatment of all different stages of OM, including acute otitis media (AOM), otitis media with effusion (OME), and chronic suppurative otitis media, and to outline the future research areas.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed, Ovid Medline, the Cochrane Database, and Clinical Evidence (BMJ Publishing).

REVIEW METHODS

All types of articles related to OM treatment published in English between January 2007 and June 2011 were identified. A total of 286 articles related to OM treatment were reviewed by the panel members; 114 relevant quality articles were identified and summarized.

RESULTS

New evidence emerged on beneficial results of antibiotic treatment, compared with observation of AOM in young children who were diagnosed based on stringent criteria. In OME, the main results were related to a nonsignificant benefit of adenoidectomy versus tympanostomy tube placement alone in the treatment of chronic OME in younger children. Other modalities of OM treatment were studied and described herein.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Significant progress has been made in advancing the knowledge on the treatment of OM. Areas of potential future research have been identified and outlined.

Bacteremia during quinsy and elective tonsillectomy: an evaluation of antibiotic prophylaxis recommendations for patients undergoing tonsillectomy

AIMS

Bacteremia during elective tonsillectomy is well recognized, whereas bacteremia during quinsy tonsillectomy has never been studied. The aim of the present study was to explore the incidence of bacteremia during elective and quinsy tonsillectomy in order to evaluate the antibiotic prophylaxis recommendations to patients at high risk of infective endocarditis who are undergoing tonsillectomy.

METHODS

A prospective study was conducted on 80 patients undergoing elective tonsillectomy and 36 patients undergoing acute tonsillectomy due to peritonsillar abscess. Blood cultures, tonsillar swabs, core tissue, and pus aspirates were analyzed by standard microbiological techniques.

RESULTS

Bacteremia was detected in 73% of patients during elective tonsillectomy compared to 56% during quinsy tonsillectomy (P = .089, Fishers exact test). Significantly more blood culture bottles were positive for each isolate obtained from elective tonsillectomy cases compared to quinsy tonsillectomy cases (P < .001, Spearman rank correlation). In all, 59% and 42% of electively and acutely tonsillectomized patients, respectively, had bacteremia with microorganisms that are predominant in bacterial endocarditis. Ninety-three percent of the isolated strains were sensitive to amoxicillin, and all were sensitive to amoxicillin with clavulanic acid.

DISCUSSION

Our results challenge the distinction made by the European Society of Cardiology between elective and quinsy tonsillectomy, with regard to antibiotic prophylaxis recommendation only to patients undergoing procedures to treat an established infection. To provide full empiric coverage, including coverage for Staphylococcus aureus, we advocate the use of amoxicillin with clavulanic acid in patients at high risk of infective endocarditis.

The comparison of bacteremia and amount of bleeding during adenotonsillectomy

OBJECTIVE

Adenoidectomies and/or tonsillectomies are among the most frequently performed otolaryngological surgical procedures.The goals of this study were to investigate the relationship between the amount of bleeding and bacteremia during adenoidectomy and/or tonsillectomy procedures.

METHODS

Seventy-eight patients who underwent tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy and adenoidectomy with or without tube insertion were included in the study. Patients with severe chronic underlying diseases (including cardiovascular disorders, renal or hepatic disease, or immunodeficiency) were excluded from study, as were those who had suffered an acute episode of respiratory infection or had received antibiotics for any reason within three weeks prior to the operation. The amount of bleeding was measured and recorded for each patient during the surgery. Preoperative blood cultures immediately after the induction of anesthesia and postoperative blood cultures 20 min after the operation were collected.

RESULTS

While none of the blood cultures taken preoperatively was positive for any organisms, the cultures obtained postoperatively were positive in 16 (20.5%) of 78 patients who underwent tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy and adenoidectomy with or without tube insertion, and bacteremia was more frequent among those with greater amount of bleeding during the surgery.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study suggest that although bacteremia had no clinical consequences in patients, it should be kept in mind that patients with greater amount of bleeding are at higher risk for developing bacteremia and it may produce vital results in patients at risk.