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Would day-case adult tonsillectomy be safe?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2007

S. J. Moralee  and
J. A. M. Murray
S. J. Moralee*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Level 4, Lauriston Building, Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh, EH3 9YW.
J. A. M. Murray*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Level 4, Lauriston Building, Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh, EH3 9YW.
*
Dr S. J. Moralee, Department of Otolaryngology, Lauriston Building, Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh, EH3 9YW.
Dr S. J. Moralee, Department of Otolaryngology, Lauriston Building, Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh, EH3 9YW.
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Abstract

Day-case surgery is increasing to improve health care efficiency. Adult tonsillectomy is performed on an inpatient basis in the UK because of safety concerns regarding primary haemorrhage. This study aims to investigate the likely safety of day-case tonsillectomy in adults, by defining the incidence and timing of primary haemorrhage and therefore to establish a safe time period for same-day discharge.

Prospectively recorded data on 2 157 adult tonsillectomies over a five-year period were reviewed. Serious primary haemorrhage was uncommon (0.8 per cent). The 95 per cent reference range of time to primary haemorrhage was within 0 to 6.8 hours of surgery and the 95 per cent confidence interval (C.I.) of its upper limit was 5.2 to 8.4 hours. The results compare favourably with the UK inpatient and US adult day-case literature.

We conclude that day-case tonsillectomy would probably be safe in adults if the patients are discharged after 8.4 hours.

Keywords

Tonsillectomy, adultDay careHaemorrhage
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 109 , Issue 12 , December 1995 , pp. 1166 - 1167
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 1995

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