Post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage: Difference between revisions

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==Differential Diagnosis==
==Differential Diagnosis==
*Post-op pain
*Post-op pain
{{Sore throat DDX}}


==Evaluation==
==Evaluation==

Revision as of 23:07, 20 November 2016

Background

  • Occurs after tonsillectomies in 3.9% of adults and 1.6% of children[1]
  • Most common on POD 5-7
  • Highest incidence in 21-30 year olds
  • Lowest in <6 year olds

Clinical Features

  • Hemoptysis
  • Recent tonsillectomy
    • Primary post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage from 0-24 hrs
    • Secondary post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage from >24 hrs

Differential Diagnosis

  • Post-op pain

Acute Sore Throat

Bacterial infections

Viral infections

Noninfectious

Other

Evaluation

  • Physical exam (do NOT remove any clots)

Management

Work-Up

  • CBC
  • T+S or T+C

Management

  • ENT consult: Always, rebleeding is common and half of presentations require surgical management
  • Airway management (anticipate difficulty and have surgical back up)
  • IV, O2, Monitor, NPO, upright position
  • Can try direct pressure with tonsillar pack or gauze infused with lido with epi on a long clamp
  • If stable, no active bleeding, and clot is present- do not remove the clot. [3]

See Also

Pharyngitis

References

  1. Windfuhr JP and Yue-Shih C. Incidence of post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage in children and adults: A study of 4,848 patients. Ear, Nose & Throat Journal. 2002; 81(9):626-628.
  2. Melio, Frantz, and Laurel Berge. “Upper Respiratory Tract Infection.” In Rosen’s Emergency Medicine., 8th ed. Vol. 1, n.d.
  3. Riviello R. Otolaryngologic Procedures. In: Roberts and Hedges' Clinical Procedures in Emergency Medicine. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2014.