Post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage: Difference between revisions

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===Uncontrolled Bleeding===
===Uncontrolled Bleeding===
''No guidelines provide a stepwise approach so all of these therapies can be attempted in addition to emergent ENT consult aggressive suction, and direct pressure if possible.''
''No guidelines provide a stepwise approach so all of these therapies can be attempted in addition to emergent ENT consult aggressive suction, and direct pressure if possible.''
*Nebulized [[Tranexamic acid]] - 250 mg for patients < 25kg and 500mg if > 25kg
*Nebulized [[Tranexamic acid]] - 250 mg for patients < 25kg and 500mg if > 25kg<ref>Schwarz W. et al. Nebulized Trnexamic acid use for pediatric secondary post tonsillectomy hemorrhage. Annals of Emergency Medicine. 73(3). 2019</ref>
*Nebulized [[racemic epinephrine]] -  0.5 mL of 2.25% solution in 3 mL  
*Nebulized [[racemic epinephrine]] -  0.5 mL of 2.25% solution in 3 mL  
*Lidocaine with inephrine soaked pledgets
*Lidocaine with epinephrine soaked pledgets
*Thrombin powder
*Thrombin powder



Revision as of 07:25, 12 April 2019

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)
  • H/H
  • Type and screen if not already on file

Management

  • Airway management as needed (anticipate difficulty and have surgical back up)
  • IV, O2, Monitor, NPO, upright position
  • ENT consult: Always, re-bleeding is common and may require surgical management
    • Important things to discuss with ENT: patient age, level of cooperation, visible clot, hematemesis, bleeding diathesis
  • If stable, no active bleeding, and clot is present - do not remove the clot[3]

Minor Bleeding

  • For minor bleeding try benzocaine spray or rinse with cold water, TXA, or lidocaine with epinephrine
  • Can also try direct pressure with tonsillar pack or gauze infused with TXA or lidocaine with epinephrine on a long clamp or Magill forceps
  • In desperate situations may need to intubate patient and tightly pack oropharynx to tamponade bleeding

Uncontrolled Bleeding

No guidelines provide a stepwise approach so all of these therapies can be attempted in addition to emergent ENT consult aggressive suction, and direct pressure if possible.

  • Nebulized Tranexamic acid - 250 mg for patients < 25kg and 500mg if > 25kg[4]
  • Nebulized racemic epinephrine - 0.5 mL of 2.25% solution in 3 mL
  • Lidocaine with epinephrine soaked pledgets
  • Thrombin powder

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.
  4. Schwarz W. et al. Nebulized Trnexamic acid use for pediatric secondary post tonsillectomy hemorrhage. Annals of Emergency Medicine. 73(3). 2019