effect of prophylactic antibiotic therapy on the incidence of post tonsillectomy bleeding

ABSTRACT

Adenotonsillectomy is one of the most common operations worldwide. Post operative hemorrhage is the most common serious complication. Many studies has been done on possible factors that may influence the rate of bleeding. In this study the role of prophylactic antibiotic therapy [amoxicillin] on decreasing the rate of post tonsillectomy bleeding has been investigated. In this retrospective study, performed on 200 patients, the rate of bleeding in the study group [100 patients who received amoxicillin [25mg/kg] immediately after operation and continued for 5-7 days] was compared with the rate of bleeding in the control group [100 patients who did not receive antibiotics]. One patient in the study and 3 patients in the control groups had bleeding that was not significant statistically. Although more study is needed, our study showed no influence of prophylactic antibiotic therapy on the rate of post tonsillectomy bleeding