Can you hemorrhage after tonsillectomy?

Hemorrhage after tonsillectomy can be classified as primary or secondary. If bleeding occurs within the first 24 hours after surgery, it is referred to as a primary hemorrhage. Secondary hemorrhage risk occurs after 24 hours.

What causes hemorrhaging after tonsillectomy?

Secondary hemorrhage, or postoperative bleeding after 24 hours, has as its origin the sloughing of eschar, trauma secondary to solid food ingestion, tonsil bed infection, postoperative nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug usage, or idiopathic causes.

When is bleeding most likely after tonsillectomy?

Bleeding after tonsillectomy is most likely to occur right after surgery or about a week later when the scabs come off. Bleeding can also occur at any point in the recovery process, which takes around 2 weeks.

How do you treat a secondary hemorrhage after a tonsillectomy?

Post Tonsillectomy bleed – active bleed

1. Manage patient in Resus.
2. Sit the patient up and encourage them to spit blood into a bowl.
3. Suction should be available if needed.
4. The patient should be kept ‘Nil by mouth’
5. Central monitoring of heart rate, respiratory rate, pulse oximetry & blood pressure.
6. Notify ENT Registrar.

What can you not do after a tonsillectomy?

You should avoid vigorous activity for 14 days after surgery. Throat and ear pain can be severe after a tonsillectomy. Take regular doses of pain medicine as prescribed. Tylenol or the prescribed narcotic pain medicine should be taken as instructed.

How can I reduce the risk of bleeding after tonsillectomy?

Prevent bleeding: Do the following to prevent or reduce the risk of bleeding from your tonsil areas:

1. Do not smoke or go to smoky areas after your surgery while your throat is healing.
2. Wrap a bag of crushed ice in a towel and place it on your neck as directed.

How do you treat secondary hemorrhage?

The mainstay of treatment in secondary PPH is with antibiotics and uterotonics: Antibiotics – usually a combination of ampicillin (clindamycin if penicillin allergic) and metronidazole. Gentamicin should be added to the above combination in cases of endomyometritis (tender uterus) or overt sepsis.

Is it normal to sleep a lot after tonsillectomy?

Most people who undergo tonsil surgery may experience fatigue for at least a week after the procedure. This can be due the healing process or the medication your doctor prescribes.

What do you watch out after tonsillectomy?

Common issues after a tonsillectomy include the following:

• Moderate to severe pain in the throat for one to two weeks.
• Pain in the ears, neck or jaw.
• Nausea and vomiting for a few days.
• Mild fever for several days.
• Bad breath for up to two weeks.
• Swelling of the tongue or throat.
• Feeling of something stuck in the throat.

How to deal with a Post tonsillectomy hemorrhage?

Those without evidence of bleeding or blood clot formation should be observed to define stability. Any repeated bleeding should be viewed as a warning sign of serious hemorrhage. Mobilize the troops up in the OR. Have child lean forward (to help keep blood out of airway). Shed lots of light on the subject (headlamp will be vital for you).

Is it normal to have blood in your nose after tonsillectomy?

According to Mayo Clinic, it’s common to see small specks of blood from your nose or in your saliva following tonsillectomy, but bright red blood is a concern. It could indicate a serious complication known as post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage. Hemorrhage is rare, occurring in about 3.5 percent of surgeries,…

Which is the most common complication of tonsillectomy?

Post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage: an assessment of risk factors Hemorrhage is the most frequent complication of tonsillectomy and is responsible for the majority of post-tonsillectomy fatalities. The incidence of this hemorrhage has been reported to be as high as 20% [6].

When do you start to bleed from scabs after tonsillectomy?

Bleeding from scabs is a type of secondary post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage because it occurs more than 24 hours after the surgery. You should expect to see specks of dried blood in your saliva as the scabs fall off.