Incidence of post-tonsillectomy haemorrhaging in Denmark

Dan Med J. 2020 Aug 1;67(8):A11190640.

Abstract

Introduction: Tonsillectomy is one of the most common procedures in the field of ear, nose and throat procedures. In 2012, the annual incidence in Denmark was 129.4 per 100,000 inhabitants. A common complication is post-tonsillectomy haemorrhaging (PTH). The overall PTH rates vary widely among studies ranging from 0.5% to 33%.

Methods: This was a nationwide open-population, retrospective and registry-based cohort study in Danes who underwent tonsillectomy complicated by PTH in hospitals and private otorhinolaryngology (ORL) offices in the period from 1991 to 2012.

Results: In the 1991-2012 period, a total of 177,211 tonsillectomies were performed among which 9,221 had a registered PTH (rPTH) (5.2%). The annual incidence rate of rPTH increased from 3% in 1991 to 13% in 2012 (p less-than 0.05). Males aged 20-40 years had a significantly higher risk of rPTH with the highest increase in rPTH incidence rates from 9.0% in 1998 to 16.4% in 2012 (p less-than 0.05). Approx. 12% had a primary rPTH within the first 24 hours; the maximum incidence of rPTH was on day six (14%).

Conclusions: The rate of rPTH increased from 1991 to 2012 in hospitals and in private ORL office settings alike. There was a significantly higher rate of rPTH in the age group of 20-40 years and a significant geographical difference in rPTH. The highest risk of rPTH was observed on the day of surgery and on day six.

Trial registration: The Danish Data Protection Agency (record number 2012-41-0158) approved this study.

Funding: The Olga Bryde Nielsen Foundation and H. Skouby & E. Skouby's Foundation supported this study financially.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Denmark / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Postoperative Hemorrhage / epidemiology*
  • Postoperative Hemorrhage / etiology
  • Registries
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Sex Factors
  • Tonsillectomy / adverse effects*
  • Young Adult