1.
Post-Tonsillectomy Ibuprofen: Is There a Dose-Dependent Bleeding Risk?
Losorelli SD, Scheffler P, Qian ZJ, Lin HC, Truong MT
The Laryngoscope. 2021
Abstract
OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS Post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage (PTH) is a potentially life-threatening complication. A recent meta-analysis suggests that ibuprofen may increase the risk of PTH. The aims of this study were to 1) re-evaluate the effect of ibuprofen on PTH given additional recent evidence and 2) to evaluate a potential dose effect of ibuprofen. STUDY DESIGN Meta-analysis and meta-regression; single-institution retrospective review. METHODS We conducted a systematic review of the literature and a meta-analysis of 12 studies comparing postoperative ibuprofen analgesia to non-nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) controls. Next, we performed a meta-regression analysis to assess for an effect of dose, if any, on rates of PTH. Five studies specifying a dose of 5 mg/kg (828 patients, 1,411 controls) and 7 studies using 10 mg/kg (5,633 patients, 7,656 controls) were included. We then conducted a novel single-institution, retrospective review of data for 1,046 patients prescribed intermediate-dose 7.5 mg/kg ibuprofen. RESULTS Ibuprofen was not associated with an increased rate of PTH (log odds ratio [OR], 0.21; 95% confidence interval [CI] -0.15, 0.57). Meta-regression showed that ibuprofen dose (5 and 10 mg/kg) did not have a statistically significant effect on PTH (OR, 1.32; 95% CI 0.30, 5.84). Uncontrolled, aggregate rates of PTH across all studies were 2.29% (N = 828) for 5 mg/kg and 4.65% (N = 5,633) for 10 mg/kg dosing. The rate of secondary hemorrhage in patients prescribed 7.5 mg/kg ibuprofen was 3.10% (N = 1,046). CONCLUSION We found no statistically significant increased risk of PTH when ibuprofen is prescribed at the low or high range of commonly used clinical dosages, compared to a non-ibuprofen regimen. Further studies with less heterogeneity are needed to determine if there is a clinically relevant dose-dependent difference in PTH with ibuprofen. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 3 Laryngoscope, 2021.
2.
Screening for undiagnosed bleeding disorders in post-tonsillectomy bleed patients: Retrospective review and systematic review of the literature
Gitomer SA, Shebha Anand G, Bradley HE, Kumar M, Ouellette L, Musso MF
International journal of pediatric otorhinolaryngology. 2019;124:210-214
Abstract
OBJECTIVES There is currently no standard for screening children with post-tonsillectomy bleeds (PTB) for coagulopathy disorders. This study aims to identify children with occult coagulopathy diagnosed at PTB and to identify factors associated with diagnosis. A systematic review of the literature further identified trends in this topic. METHODS A retrospective chart review of patients returning to the operating room for PTB at a tertiary children's hospital was undertaken from 2012 to 2016. A systematic review using Medline OVID was subsequently performed. RESULTS Of 12,503 tonsillectomies, 311 children (52% male, mean age 8 years) required surgery for PTB (2.5% rate). Twenty-one patients (7%) had multiple episodes. Only two patients (0.6%) (both with known coagulopathy) underwent pre-tonsillectomy labs and 260 (84%) had labs at PTB. Six patients (2%) were diagnosed with a new coagulopathy, most commonly von Willebrand's Disease (vWD) in five (2%). Three patients (1%) were diagnosed at first PTB and three (1%) at second PTB. Of the three diagnosed at second PTB, two had normal partial thromboplastin time (PTT). In systematic review, 1243 manuscripts were reviewed and 8 papers discussing this topic are presented. CONCLUSION Occult coagulopathy was rarely diagnosed at PTB, but this may be limited by inconsistent screening. PT and PTT are not sensitive tests for vWD, and normal coagulation labs may lead to delayed diagnosis. The literature reveals occult coagulopathy is rare but often diagnosed after severe or recurrent hemorrhage. In order to provide efficient care and medical management, a standardized algorithm and sensitive labs for screening PTB patients are needed.
3.
Does suturing tonsil pillars post-tonsillectomy reduce postoperative hemorrhage?: A literature review
Wulu JA, Chua M, Levi JR
International journal of pediatric otorhinolaryngology. 2018;117:204-209
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Literature review comparing post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage in pediatric and adult patients with and without suturing tonsil pillars to investigate whether suturing tonsil pillars reduces the risk of post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage. REVIEW METHODS Online journal databases were searched using the key phrases "post tonsillectomy hemorrhage", "post tonsillectomy bleed", and "tonsil pillar suture". 10 published studies were found regarding tonsil pillar suturing, four directly related to postoperative bleeding and five focusing on postoperative pain reduction. There was one study that evaluated both pain and bleeding. The pain reduction studies were comprised of 225 patients while the postoperative bleeding studies included 3987 patients. CONCLUSIONS Suturing tonsil pillars after tonsillectomy may be beneficial after cold tonsillectomy. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Post-operative bleeding is one of the most common complications that can result in increased patient distress and hospitalization. In this article, we provide a literature review of tonsil pillar suturing and post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage. Our study suggests suturing the tonsil pillars immediately post-tonsillectomy may reduce the risk of severe post-operative bleeding requiring return to the operating room for certain patients.
4.
Post-tonsillectomy dietary advice and haemorrhage risk: Systematic review
Bannister M, Thompson C
International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology. 2017;103:29-31.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Tonsillectomy remains one of the commonest operations performed in children. Post-operative diet may affect post-tonsillectomy haemorrhage rate, although post-operative dietary advice varies. We undertook a systematic review of the published literature to assess if and how different post-operative diets were associated with differences in PTH rates following paediatric tonsillectomy, to provide an evidence base to inform individual otorhinolaryngologists' practice and for future guideline development. METHODS A systematic review of the published English literature of the PubMed, Medline and Cochrane Collaboration databases, using search terms used included 'post-tonsillectomy', 'diet', 'dietary advice', 'bleeding', 'haemorrhage', 'paediatric' &'children'. RESULTS Eight publications were included in the review, including 5 randomised controlled trials, 2 case-control studies and 1 cohort study. These involved 1039 patients with 545 patients following a restricted/non-additive diet after tonsillectomy and 494 patients following an unrestricted/additive diet. The average reported PTH rate of patients in the restricted diet groups was 2.3% and 0.8% in patients in the unrestricted diet groups, which is not statistically significant (p = 0.12, one tailed t-test). CONCLUSION PTH following paediatric surgery does not appear to be affected by different post-operative diets or regimes followed by patients. Clinicians should not change the advice provided regarding oral intake and diet following tonsillectomy surgery in children.