Post-Tonsillectomy Bleeding: The Most Common Complication and Emergency Measures

The most common complication of tonsil surgery is bleeding after the procedure. Bleeding from any part of the body is generally

considered a medical emergency and requires careful attention and prompt referral to a medical center.

How likely is bleeding after tonsil surgery?

The likelihood of bleeding after tonsil surgery is approximately 0.5% to 1%, depending on the surgical method and the surgeon’s experience. Bleeding can be mild or severe. It usually appears as blood exiting from the mouth and sometimes from the nose. In rare cases, very minor bleeding may occur gradually, with blood entering the stomach. When the stomach fills with gradually clotted blood, the patient may experience vomiting of clotted blood.

The most common times for bleeding after tonsil surgery are within the first 24 hours after surgery and at the end of the first week.
Bleeding within the first 24 hours is usually caused by unsealed blood vessels. Delayed bleeding, which occurs at the end of the first week, is caused by the detachment of crusts or scabs from the surgical bed, reopening blood vessels.

Preventing bleeding after tonsil surgery?

During the first 24 hours, it is recommended to consume cold foods such as ice cream and pulp-free fruit juices. This cold diet helps constrict capillaries and prevent bleeding. To prevent delayed bleeding, a soft diet is advised, avoiding hot and hard foods such as dry bread pieces, pizza, chips, baguette, and similar items.

Failure to follow these guidelines may result in sudden detachment of scabs from the surgical wound, causing sudden and sometimes severe bleeding.

What should be done if bleeding occurs from the tonsil bed after surgery

.Remain calm and immediately contact your surgeon

.Initial recommendations include gargling with cold water and spitting out any clots

.In many cases, this simple action is enough to stop the bleeding

.While performing these steps, promptly take the patient to the nearest hospital or the hospital recommended by the surgeon

Medical interventions to control post-tonsillectomy bleeding

Upon arrival at the hospital, vital signs such as blood pressure and heart rate are monitored, and cold saline gargles may be used to help control bleeding.
If bleeding continues, the patient is usually transferred to the operating room for surgical control of the bleeding.

We wish you a smooth recovery after tonsil surgery and recommend strictly following post-operative guidelines such as diet and avoiding physical exertion.