Introduction
Tonsillectomy is one of the most common otolaryngology procedures performed worldwide. It is also one of the first procedures learnt by residents during their training period. Although tonsillectomy is viewed relatively as a low-risk procedure, it can be potentially harmful because of the chance of posttonsillectomy hemorrhage.
Objective
The objective of the present study is to analyze the effects of peroperative factors and experience of the surgeon on the incidence and pattern of posttonsillectomy reactionary hemorrhage.
Methods
A retrospective review of medical charts was performed from 2014 to 2017 in a tertiary care hospital. A total of 1,284 patients who underwent tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy were included in the study. The parameters assessed were experience of the surgeon, operating time, intraoperative blood loss, difference in mean arterial pressure (MAP) and pulse rate.
Results
A total of 23 (1.79%) out of the 1,284 patients had reactionary hemorrhage. Out of those 23, 16 (69.5%) patients had been operated on by trainees, while 7 (30.5%) had been operated on by consultants (
p
= 0.033, odds ratio [OR] = 0.04). Operating time, intraoperative blood loss, difference in MAP and pulse rate were significantly higher in the reactionary hemorrhage group, and showed a positive association with risk of hemorrhage (
p
< 0.05; OR >1). Re-exploration to control the bleeding was required in 10 (76.9%) out of the 23 cases.
Conclusion
The experience of the surgeon experience and peroperative factors have an association with posttonsillectomy hemorrhage. Close surveillance and monitoring of the aforementioned peroperative factors will help in the identification of patients at risk of hemorrhage.
Kuttner’s tumour, also known as chronic sclerosing sialadenitis, is a localised form of IgG4 disease which presents as asymptomatic submandibular gland swelling. The diagnosis is usually based on histopathology and immunohistochemistry. A 33-year-old woman presented with acute-onset pain and swelling in the right submandibular region. Clinical examination showed an enlarged submandibular gland, and CT showed a calculus in the Wharton’s duct. After treating the acute phase with antibiotics, the patient underwent submandibular gland excision and calculus removal. Histopathology of the specimen showed areas of periductal sclerosis, acinar atrophy and intense lymphoplasmacytic infiltrates with occasional eosinophils. The IgG4 to IgG plasma cell ratio was >40%, suggestive of an IgG4-related disease. The authors have chosen to report this case because of the unusual presentation of IgG4 disease as acute sialadenitis.
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