Can the preoperative hematologic factors play a role in predicting adult post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage?

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the preoperative hematologic factors for predicting post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage (PTH). METHODS: In the retrospective study, the records of 44 patients (21 males, 23 females; mean age 30.5±9.4 years; range, 18 to 55 years) who underwent tonsillectomy for chronic or recurrent tonsillar infections were reviewed. Age, sex, coagulation profile [international normalized ratio (INR), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)], complete blood cell count [hematocrit (HTC), neutrophil (NEU) count, lymphocyte (LYMP) count, platelet (PLT) count, mean platelet volume (MPV), red cell distribution width (RDW)] such values have been recorded. Patients were divided into two groups according to the presence of PTH. Group A (8 males, 13 females; mean age 30.5±11.1 years) included patients without PTH and Group B (13 males, 10 females; mean age 30.5±7.8 years) was comprised of patients with PTH. RESULTS: In the evaluation of the coagulation profile, aPTT values were 24.5±1.9 sec in Group A and 26.4±17 sec in Group B (p= 0.017). Median value of INR was similar between the groups (p=0.60). No difference was detected between the groups regarding the following parameters of the complete blood count: HTC (p=0.49), NEU (p=0.17), LYMP (p=0.45), PLT (p=0.71), MPV (p=0.27), and RDW (p=0.29). CONCLUSION: It is important to perform relevant blood tests should in the preoperative period, in addition to INR and aPTT tests. New studies are needed to determine the relationship of MPV and RDW with PTH.