Post-Operative Complications of Tonsillectomy and Adenotonsillectomy at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Bangladesh

Abstract

Background: Tonsillectomy & adenotonsillectomy are most frequently undertaken procedures in otolaryngology and represent approximately 20.0% to 40.0% of surgical procedures performed in this field. Episodes of post-tonsillectomy and adenotonsillectomy haemorrhage are unpredictable and sometimes life-threatening.

Objective: The aim of this study was to find out the various post-operative complications in tonsillectomy and adenotonsillectomy; duration of operation and relation of post-operative haemorrhage with sex.

Methodology: This prospective study was conducted in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Monno Medical College Hospital, Manikganj, Bangladesh, from October 2024 to March 2025. We selected 130 patients undergoing tonsillectomy & adenotonsillectomy.

Results: The maximum age group 59 (37.7%) were from 11-20 yrs. The maximum number of patients were male, 71(54.61%), and the sex ratio was male: female 1.2:1. In this study, the commonest indication was recurrent tonsillitis 67 (51.5%). Out of 130 patients, only 15 patients developed complications. Complications that were encountered after operation were haemorrhages, both primary and secondary, 1(0.8%) and 6(4.6%), respectively. most of the patients 11(73.3%) were treated conservatively while 4(26.7%) patients were treated with interventional techniques.

Conclusion: It is concluded from our study that postoperative bleeding was the commonest complication of tonsillectomy, which was controlled mainly conservatively.

Journal of Monno Medical College December, 2025;11(2):91-95