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Are haematological tests warranted prior to tonsillectomy?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2007

J. R. Livesey
J. R. Livesey*
Affiliation:
ENT Department, Royal Surrey County HospitalGuildford, Surrey GU2 5XX.
*
J. R. Livesey, ENT Department, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne NE7 7DN.
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Abstract

The use of phlebotomy for a full blood count (FBC) and group and serum storage (G&S) prior to tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy was assessed by means of a postal questionnaire sent to consultant otolaryngologists within the South West Thames region. This was compared with ‘countrywide’ practice assessed by means of questions to attenders at an otolaryngology course.

A postal response rate of 86 per cent was obtained with 67 per cent within the region requesting a FBC prior to tonsillectomy and 50 per cent to adenoidectomy alone. This was much greater than for the ‘countrywide’ group with 24 per cent and 6 per cent respectively. Requests for pre-operative G&S were 17 per cent and 6 per cent respectively.

This large difference in practice suggests that in the clinically healthy patient with no specific indications, pre-operative haematological investigations may be non-contributary, which has important financial implications. The maintenance of post-operative intravenous access is considered to be much safer, less traumatic and cheaper.

Keywords

TonsillectomyHaematological tests
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 107 , Issue 3 , March 1993 , pp. 205 - 207
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 1993

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References

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