Post-tonsillectomy bleeding: Experience during the pandemic at the Clinical Hospital of Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile

Abstract

Introduction: Bleeding is a common complication of tonsillectomy, and its incidence in our population is unknown. A subjective increase in this complication was noted in our center during the COVID-19 pandemic. Objectives: To describe the incidence and characteristics of patients with post-tonsillectomy bleeding at our center during the pandemic, analyze the incidence related to COVID-19, and explore potential risk factors. Material and Me- thod: Retrospective study. The clinical records of patients with post-tonsillectomy bleeding who underwent tonsillectomy at the Clinical Hospital of the Catholic University between March 2018 and February 2022 were reviewed. Subgroups were analyzed according to the onset of the pandemic (March 2020). Review of clinical records of patients with post-ton- sillectomy bleeding who underwent tonsillectomy at the Clinical Hospital of the Catholic University between March 2018 and February 2022. Analysis by subgroups according to the onset of the pandemic (March 2020). A 1:1 age-matched analysis was performed with control patients without bleeding who underwent tonsillectomy during the same period to assess potential risk factors. Results: The incidence of bleeding was 3.14%, with a statisti- cally significant increase during the pandemic (1.81% vs. 6.01%; p < 0.001). Univariate analysis of subgroups identified possible risk factors, including older age (p = 0.02) and the use of specific COX-2 inhibitors (p = 0.04), but these associations were not sustained in multivariate analysis. Age-matched analysis showed no statistically significant differences. Conclusions: This study, the first to investigate the incidence of post-tonsillectomy bleeding in the Chilean population and its potential association with SARS-CoV-2, highlights the importance of further research to explore potential risk factors.