Is it possible to predict post-adenotonsillectomy hemorrhage in children with preoperative blood tests? Single-center retrospective study

Abstract

Introduction: Post-adenotonsillectomy (PAT) bleeding, a life-threatening surgical complication, remains unpredictable despite preoperative blood tests. Every surgeon would like predictive markers for this complication of one of the most common procedures performed in pediatric ear, nose, and throat (ENT). Objective: The purpose of the study is to see whether the results of the blood tests we perform routinely preoperatively in children undergoing adenotonsillectomy (AT) (lymphocyte count and percentage, C reactive protein, fibrinogen, or coagulation variables International Normalized Ratio and activated partial thromboplastin time) can potentially predict early post-AT bleeding. Focus has been placed on the presence of relative lymphocytosis (a value of lymphocyte percentage above 55%) in the blood cell count of the patients and its possible connection to postoperative hemorrhage. Method: We conducted an observational retrospective study on 801 children undergoing adenoidectomy, tonsillectomy, or AT over a period of 6 months in our ENT department. Statistical analysis was performed to compare the data. Results: we did not find a statistically significant correlation between preoperative blood markers (coagulation or inflammatory) and early post-AT bleeding. An important blood marker in relation to PAT bleeding appears to be relative lymphocytosis. Relative lymphocytosis has a weak predictive value of early postoperative bleeding in children with AT (sensitivity of only 31.58%, but acceptable specificity of above 80%). In other words, 80% of patients without relative lymphocytosis will not bleed in the first 24 h postoperatively. Children with relative lymphocytosis may need tighter surveillance in the first 24 h after AT. Conclusions: Relative lymphocytosis has a weak predictive value of early postoperative bleeding in children with AT children.