The Role of Antibiotics in Prevention of Post-Tonsillectomy Secondary Hemorrhage

Background: Tonsillectomy is one of the commonest surgical procedures performed worldwide. There is considerable variation in practice of post-tonsillectomy antibiotics worldwide. Aim of study:  To find out the effect of antibiotics in preventing post-tonsillectomy complications. Patients & Methods: A prospective non-organized study carried out in Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Center in Al-Sulimania for period from 1st of March, 2014 to end of August, 2014 on convenient sample of 100 tonsillectomy patients. Tonsillectomy patients were categorized into two groups randomly, one group with antibiotics and another group without antibiotics postoperatively. The data were collected through direct interview and questionnaire and followed up for 14 days post-tonsillectomy. Results: Mean age of patients was 8±7 years and females were more than males. Fever  with sore throat were the most common presenting symptoms for patients as an indications for tonsillectomy, and Grade II tonsil enlargement was present half of them. The common post-tonsillectomy complains were pain on the first day and fever on third day. No significant differences between two groups of patients (with antibiotics & without antibiotics) regarding bleeding, pain, fever and swallowing difficulties (p>0.05).Conclusions & Recommendations: No significant effect of antibiotics in preventing postoperative secondary hemorrhage. The antibiotics should not be given routinely and National more studies on effects of antibiotics in preventing post-tonsillectomy complications should be encouraged.