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Tonsillectomy return-to-theatre rates demonstrate a monthly and seasonal variation: an analysis of 256 799 patients

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 February 2007

N K Chadha
N K Chadha*
Affiliation:
ENT Department, Torbay Hospital, Torquay, UK.
*
Address for correspondence: Mr N K Chadha, ENT Department, Torbay Hospital, Lawes Bridge, Torquay TQ2 7AA, UK. E-mail: neil@chadhanet.com
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Abstract

Objective:

To explore whether the incidence of post-tonsillectomy haemorrhage requiring a return to theatre demonstrates a monthly or seasonal variation.

Design:

Retrospective, cross-sectional study including all 256 799 tonsillectomies performed between April 2000 and March 2005 in NHS trusts in England.

Outcome measures:

Return-to-theatre rates for each calendar month and each three-month ‘season’, over the five-year study period.

Results:

A statistically significant association was found between the calendar month and the proportion of patients requiring a return to theatre for post-tonsillectomy haemorrhage (p=0.005). There was a bimodal seasonal distribution peaking in the winter and summer months, with winter rates significantly higher than spring rates (p=0.0104).

Conclusions:

The incidence of severe post-tonsillectomy haemorrhage showed monthly and seasonal variations. This is clearly a multi-factorial problem. However, in patients at high risk of bleeding or of the complications of bleeding, consideration should be given to performing tonsillectomy at a time of year of lower incidence.

Keywords

TonsillectomyPostoperative ComplicationsHemorrhageSeasonsRetrospective StudiesHumans
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 121 , Issue 11 , November 2007 , pp. 1088 - 1093
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2007

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