Does Microscope Assistance in Cold Steel Tonsillectomy Reduce the Risk of Postoperative Hemorrhage? Results of a Prospective Cohort Study

Abstract

Background. Posttonsillectomy hemorrhage (PTH) is the most feared complication. Dissection near the tonsillar capsule under microscopic view (TEmic) could be assumed to decrease PTH compared to traditional tonsillectomy (TEtrad).Methods. In this study, patients were evaluated with respect to the need for surgical control (R/N: return/no return to theater (RTT): the day of surgery[0]or thereafter[1]). The findings at resection site and pain were measured.Results. 869 patients were included (183TEmic; 686TEtrad). PTH requiring RTT was not seen in theTEmicgroup on the day of surgery (R0) while PTH requiring RTT subsequently (R1) was seen in 1.1% of the cases. In theTEmicgroup, hemorrhages without a need for surgical control were observed in 0.6% (N0) and 3.4% (N1), respectively. The corresponding rates forTEtradwere as follows: R0, 0.3%; R1, 1.7%; N0, 0.6%; and N1, 3.6% (p>0.05). Postoperative edema and local infection at resection site were proven to be predictive of PTH (p=0.007).Conclusion. Microscope assistance in tonsillectomy did not statistically have an influence on the PTH even though there was a trend towards lower PTH rate in theTEmicgroup. Benefit forTEmicwas observed in high-volume and long experienced surgeons.