Our aim was to present the subjects with secondary post tonsillectomy haemorrhage who were admitted to our clinic.

Between July 2006 and September 2010, subjects who were admitted to our clinic with secondary post- tonsillectomy haemorrhage were included. All subjects’ medical charts were reviewed retrospectively. Demographic data, the onset of haemorrhage, the presence of bleeding at the time of presentation, type of local or surgical intervention, blood parameters and hospital- stays were noted.

Twenty seven subjects were identified. Fourteen (14/52.8 %) subjects were male, remaining 13 (48.2 %) patients were female. Mean age was 16.5 (range 5-71 yrs). Five (5/18.5) subjects were operated in our clinic and 22 (81.5 %) subjects were operated and referred from other medical centers. The most common season for admission was summer (12/44 %). Fifteen (15/55 %) subjects were treated under general anaesthesia. The possible etiology of the bleeding could be detected in five (18.5 %) subjects. A mean hemoglobin level at the admission was 10.7 g/dL. All the patients’ bleedings were stopped after the initial intervention and no additional episode was observed. Mean hospital stay was 2.44 days (range between 1 to 5 days).

Secondary post tonsillectomy haemorrhage is still common and a potential life threatening ENT- emergency. The factors affecting the occurrence of post- tonsillectomy haemorrhage should be identified to prevent this complication. These subjects needed fast and sufficient intervention and close follow up.

Keywords: Tonsillectomy, secondary posttonsillectomy haemorrhage, risk factors