Authors: Mazyad M. Alenezi (malenezi28@moh.gov.sa), Faisal A. Al-Harbi (411107694@qu.edu.sa, 411107747@qu.edu.sa, 411107812@qu.edu.sa, 411107608@qu.edu.sa, 411107798@qu.edu.sa, 411201989@qu.edu.sa), Albaraa Nasser M. Almoshigeh (411107694@qu.edu.sa, 411107747@qu.edu.sa, 411107812@qu.edu.sa, 411107608@qu.edu.sa, 411107798@qu.edu.sa, 411201989@qu.edu.sa), Sultan S. Alruqaie (411107694@qu.edu.sa, 411107747@qu.edu.sa, 411107812@qu.edu.sa, 411107608@qu.edu.sa, 411107798@qu.edu.sa, 411201989@qu.edu.sa), Nada M. Alshahrani (201422313@vision.edu.sa), Alwaleed Mohammed Alamro (411107694@qu.edu.sa, 411107747@qu.edu.sa, 411107812@qu.edu.sa, 411107608@qu.edu.sa, 411107798@qu.edu.sa, 411201989@qu.edu.sa), Abdulmalik Abdulaziz Aljulajil (411107694@qu.edu.sa, 411107747@qu.edu.sa, 411107812@qu.edu.sa, 411107608@qu.edu.sa, 411107798@qu.edu.sa, 411201989@qu.edu.sa), Rayan Abduallah Alsaqri (411107694@qu.edu.sa, 411107747@qu.edu.sa, 411107812@qu.edu.sa, 411107608@qu.edu.sa, 411107798@qu.edu.sa, 411201989@qu.edu.sa), Lama A. Alharbi (411107694@qu.edu.sa, 411107747@qu.edu.sa, 411107812@qu.edu.sa, 411107608@qu.edu.sa, 411107798@qu.edu.sa, 411201989@qu.edu.sa)
Categories: Systematic Review, post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage, primary hemorrhage, secondary hemorrhage, cold steel dissection, coblation
Source: Clinics and Practice
Authors: Mazyad M. Alenezi, Faisal A. Al-Harbi, Albaraa Nasser M. Almoshigeh, Sultan S. Alruqaie, Nada M. Alshahrani, Alwaleed Mohammed Alamro, Abdulmalik Abdulaziz Aljulajil, Rayan Abduallah Alsaqri, Lama A. Alharbi
Introduction: Post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage is a serious complication that varies according to the surgical technique used, potentially compromising patient safety and recovery. Even though several techniques were frequently used, including cold steel dissection, coblation, monopolar diathermy, and bipolar diathermy, there were certain discrepancies in hemorrhage rates in the literature. This meta-analysis aims to compare the rates of primary and secondary hemorrhage among these surgical techniques, with a focus on guiding clinical decision-making. Methodology: A total of 12 studies, published between 2005 and 2024, were selected from the PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases, comprising 1684 participants from both pediatric and adult groups. Primary and secondary hemorrhage rates, surgical techniques, and study characteristics were extracted as data. Therefore, the aim of performing this meta-analysis with random-effects models was to calculate pooled estimates for hemorrhage rates and the heterogeneity index (I^2^). The techniques studied included cold steel dissection, coblation, monopolar diathermy, and bipolar diathermy. Results: The pooled primary hemorrhage rate across all techniques was 1.0% (95% Cl: 0.5–1.4%), with insignificant heterogeneity (I^2^ = 0.0%, p < 0.665). By contrast, pooled secondary hemorrhage occurred at a rate of 5.8% (95% CI: 3.9–7.6%). Cold steel tonsillectomy was associated with the lowest secondary hemorrhage rate of 3.7% (95% CI: 0.8–6.6%, I^2^ = 43.558%, p = 0.115), while bipolar diathermy had the highest secondary hemorrhage rate of 8.6% (95% CI: 2.3–15.0%, I^2^ = 86.448%, p < 0.001). Conclusions: This meta-analysis underscores the considerable variability in rates of post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage frequency among various surgical techniques. Cold steel dissection appears to be the safest regarding secondary hemorrhage, while coblation likely minimizes primary bleeding. Bipolar diathermy comes across as the technique with the highest risk for primary hemorrhage and requires special caution during its use. Such results emphasize the need for careful selection of the surgical technique concerning patients’ particular conditions and the need to enhance care periods to reduce the bearing of any hemorrhagic complications.
Chronic tonsillitis is not only a source of recurrent throat infections and discomfort but has also been linked to a range of systemic comorbidities, including obstructive sleep apnea, otitis media, halitosis, and, in some cases, peritonsillar abscess formation [1,2]. In pediatric populations, it may contribute to poor school performance and growth delays, while in adults, it can impair quality of life and productivity [1]. Surgical intervention through tonsillectomy is often indicated when conservative treatments fail; while generally effective in alleviating symptoms and preventing recurrence, the procedure carries potential risks, notably post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage, pain, and delayed return to normal activities [2,3].
Tonsillectomy remains one of the most widely performed surgeries in both classical pediatric and adult populations [2,3]. It is often indicated for recurrent tonsillitis, obstructive sleep apnea, or related conditions [4,5]. Although common, post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage (PTH) is a known complication ranging from light bleeding to lethal events [6,7]. The incidence of PTH is variable depending on the patient’s age, concurrent illnesses, and, especially, the surgical technique adopted in tonsil surgery [8,9].
Many tonsillectomy techniques have been introduced since then, with each aiming to optimize surgical outcomes while minimizing complications [10]. These are largely classified as cold dissection, cautery-based techniques, coblation, and more modern laser tonsillectomy or laser-assisted tonsillectomy methods [10]. They differ regarding the technique of tissue dissection, hemostasis, and postoperative recovery periods [10]. Yet, there persist debates within the medical community regarding the relative effectiveness of the different surgical approaches on PTH rates.
Bleeding is classified after tonsillectomy as either primary or secondary [11]. The primary hemorrhage takes place within 24 h directly post-operation and is generally associated with inadequate control of bleeding during surgery [11]. Secondary hemorrhage occurs after 24 hours and up to about 10 days after the surgery; it is thought that this is due to scabs sloughing and healing of the tissues involved [11]. Both these types of bleeding may require intervention, from specific conservative measures to surgical re-exploration, making it imperative to identify the technique with the least potential for causing PTH [11].
The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to evaluate and compare post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage rates after different tonsillectomy techniques. This review synthesizes data from a number of studies with the goal of providing recommendations for the safest surgical approach, based on evidence arising from the work, thus improving patient outcomes and safety in clinical practice.
This systematic review and meta-analysis, registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024619944), was performed in accordance with PRISMA. A comprehensive search strategy of different surgical techniques employed for tonsillectomy was conducted. Its purpose was to evaluate the effectiveness of various types of surgeries at preventing hemorrhage and providing evidence-based data for clinical practice. It was performed in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines to guarantee the transparency and rigor of the process among only randomized clinical trials.
A comprehensive and exhaustive search of the PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library was conducted from the opening of their databases to the time of preparing this study in 2024, in October. Search terms included “post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage” OR “postoperative bleeding” OR “tonsillectomy bleeding”) AND (“coblation” OR “cold steel” OR “cold dissection” OR “electrocautery” OR “monopolar diathermy” OR “bipolar diathermy” OR “harmonic scalpel”. These search terms were then applied to studies analyzing rates of post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage while comparing several surgical techniques. There were no language restrictions, and studies were included regardless of the geographic region they were conducted in.
Studies eligible for the review consisted of studies that included patients with recurrent tonsillitis, obstructive sleeping apnea, or other related conditions who underwent tonsillectomy. To be considered, studies had to present one or more of the techniques cold steel dissection, coblation, electrocautery, and harmonic scalpel. The primary outcome to be accounted for had to be that of post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage occurring within 30 days of the operation. All studies relating to any age and to any clinical setting (hospital or otherwise) were considered. Studies were excluded where hemorrhage rates were not reported or were noncomparative.
Two reviewers independently screened the titles and abstracts of all the identified studies to assess their eligibility. Full-text articles were retrieved and examined for final inclusion after this initial screening, which consisted mostly of short reports. Whenever discrepancies between the two reviewers in terms of study eligibility arose, these were resolved through discussion or by a third reviewer. Data extraction was performed from all eligible studies using a standardized form focusing on the following key tonsillectomy technique used, hemorrhage rates, severity of hemorrhage, need for re-operation, and length of stay. Demographic information collected included age, indications for surgery, and study design.
The assessment of risk of bias in the included studies was conducted using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool (RoB 2), specifically designed for randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Each study’s risk of bias was assessed across numerous domains by two reviewers independently, including randomization, blinding of the participants, and selective reporting. The reviewers resolved any discrepancies through discussions or consultation with a third reviewer. The RoB 2 assessment then placed the studies into three categories for low risk, some concerns, or high risk (Table 1).
Studies with a similar study design and outcome characteristics were then combined to improve the performance of the meta-analysis. A random-effects model was used to pool the data and derive summary estimates of these post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage rates for each technique. The I^2^ statistic was used to quantify heterogeneity across the studies; we examined the possible sources of heterogeneity through subgroup analyses. When appropriate heterogeneity was found among the included studies, a narrative synthesis of the results was performed instead.
Subgroup analyses were performed to characterize any potential effects in hemorrhage rates as per age group, indications for surgery (obstructive sleep apnea vs. recurrent tonsillitis), and tonsillectomy techniques. Hopefully, this set of analyses provides a better understanding of how some characteristics of patients might impact the outcome in terms of hemorrhage.
The results of this systematic review and meta-analysis will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed medical or surgical journal. These results will also be shared at appropriate conferences and will be distributed to clinicians for consideration in informing clinical decisions for selecting techniques in tonsillectomy.
In conclusion, the goal of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess different tonsillectomy techniques compared with respect to their effectiveness in reducing post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage. By combining these studies, we aimed to provide high-quality evidence that could inform the choice of surgical technique to benefit tonsillectomy outcomes.
A total of 12 randomized controlled trials were included in this analysis, all of which aimed to assess post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage rates across different surgical techniques (Figure 1) [12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23]. The populations studied included pediatric patients through adults based on conditions ranging from chronic tonsillitis to obstructive sleep apnea to recurrent tonsillitis. The studies were conducted in various different settings and countries from 2005 to 2024. The range of the sample sizes was from 32 up to 284 subjects, with a total sample size of 1684 (Table 2).
The studies comparing different surgical techniques for tonsillectomy showed varying patient characteristics and methods. Most studies involved randomized controlled trials or single-blind trials, with sample sizes ranging from 25 to 284 participants per group. Patient age across the studies spanned from pediatric to adult populations, with many studies focusing on elective tonsillectomy for conditions such as recurrent tonsillitis, hypertrophy, or abscesses. The gender distribution tended to favor male patients in several studies, ranging from 41% to 76% male, though some studies did not specify this detail. The techniques compared included cold steel dissection, bipolar diathermy, coblation, diode laser, and various specialized methods like the BiClamp and ultrasonic scalpel. The studies generally showed comparable outcomes for the different techniques in terms of recovery and complication rates, although certain methods like diode laser and coblation have been highlighted for specific advantages in reducing post-operative complications. Stratification by age and gender was employed in some studies to address potential variations in outcomes. Across the studies, common exclusions included patients with peritonsillar abscess, bleeding disorders, or concurrent procedures, ensuring that the results reflect the specific technique’s performance in a controlled patient population (Table 3).
The postoperative outcomes across the studies showed variable rates of hemorrhage, re-intervention, and hospital stay. Postoperative hemorrhage rates ranged from 0% to 23%, with bipolar diathermy, electrocautery, and certain techniques like cold dissection exhibiting higher hemorrhage rates compared to others such as coblation and total tonsillectomy (TW). Severity of hemorrhage was often more pronounced in groups using bipolar diathermy and electrocautery, with secondary hemorrhages requiring re-intervention in some cases, though many hemorrhages were managed conservatively. Re-intervention was relatively rare, though some studies noted the need for re-operations, especially in the bipolar diathermy and electrocautery groups. Length of hospital stay was not consistently reported but was generally not significantly different across the groups. Overall, techniques such as coblation with sutures and total tonsillectomy showed lower hemorrhage rates and fewer re-interventions, while bipolar diathermy and electrocautery techniques were associated with higher hemorrhage and re-intervention rates (Table 4).
The pooled estimate for the rate of primary hemorrhage across all tonsillectomy techniques was 1.0% (95% CI: 0.5–1.4%), with insignificant heterogeneity (I^2^ = 0.0%, p < 0.665). Secondary hemorrhage occurred at a higher pooled rate of 5.8% (95% CI: 3.9–7.6%) and demonstrated substantial heterogeneity (I^2^ = 70.67%, p < 0.001) (Figure 2).
Cold steel tonsillectomy demonstrated comparable rates of primary hemorrhage at 1.8% (95% CI: 0.0–3.7%, I^2^ = 19.348%, p 0.287), aligning closely with the pooled overall estimates. Secondary hemorrhage rates were minimal at 3.7% (95% CI: 0.8–6.6%, I^2^ = 43.558%, p = 0.115), highlighting its safety, particularly in terms of delayed bleeding (Figure 3).
Bipolar Tonsillectomy demonstrated comparable rates of primary hemorrhage at 1.4% (95% CI: 0.00–3.0%, I^2^ = 40.591%, p = 0.151), which is slightly higher than the pooled overall estimates. Secondary hemorrhage rates were higher than the pooled overall estimates at 8.6% (95% CI: 2.3–15.0%, I^2^ = 86.448%, p < 0.001), highlighting its safety, particularly in terms of delayed bleeding (Figure 4).
The risk of bias for all studies included in the analysis was generally low across all domains. These studies, being randomized controlled trials (RCTs), exhibited a low risk of bias arising from the randomization process, ensuring that participants were appropriately assigned to treatment groups. Deviations from the intended interventions were minimal, and no significant issues with missing outcome data were noted in any of the studies. The measurement of outcomes was consistently reliable, and there was no evidence of selective reporting of results. As a result, all studies were assessed to have a low overall risk of bias, suggesting that the conclusions drawn from these studies are likely to be valid and reliable (Table 5).
The results of this meta-analysis shed light on the rates of post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage according to different surgical techniques, illuminating the varying safety profiles and clinical implications. Post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage remains one of the most worrisome complications of the procedure, and understanding the risks associated with each surgical technique is imperative to ameliorating patient outcomes.
Pooled estimates of primary (1.0%) and secondary (5.8%) hemorrhage rates across-all techniques type were in agreement with the literature, which widely describes primary hemorrhage rates from 1% to 5%, and the secondary hemorrhage rates were higher than in the literature, which shows secondary rates ranging between 0.5% and 2% [24,25].
As recorded from all the techniques examined, bipolar diathermy tonsillectomy demonstrated a primary hemorrhage rate at 1.4%, which is slightly higher than the general pooled estimates of primary hemorrhage corroborated with findings from other studies, reporting values between 3% and 6% [26,27]. The reliance of this technique on thermal energy for tissue dissection and hemostasis raises the possibility for thermal injury to the surrounding tissues, which could explain the greater propensity for bleeding [28,29]. Moreover, the current study recorded secondary hemorrhage from bipolar diathermy at a pooled rate of 8.6%, which places this type of therapy above the other methods, thus leading to further safety concerns, especially in the presence of high comorbidities or following the use of anticoagulants [30].
The correct use of coblation tonsillectomy is in line with prior studies, showing its efficacy in minimizing intraoperative bleeding with a primary hemorrhage rate of 1.23% [15,21]. On the other hand, the higher rate of secondary hemorrhage (4.9%) is due to the delayed healing of tissues, thus compromising vascular structures, as has been presented by a previous meta-analysis [31]. While coblation appears to be ideally suited to curtailing immediate surgical bleeding, careful monitoring of patients postoperatively can minimize the risk of delayed hemorrhage [32].
Cold steel dissection registered a primary hemorrhage rate (1.8%) comparable with the lowest secondary hemorrhage rate among all the comparisons (0.3%), thus validating its status as the primary option in terms of safety for tonsillectomy [33,34]. The possible explanation for the lower rates of secondary hemorrhage may lie in the technique itself, which features a high degree of precision and causes very little damage to tissues and, thus, reduces delayed bleeding risks. Again, support comes from studies suggesting cold steel dissection for performing tonsillectomy in high-risk patients or in settings with limited advanced hemostatic tools [35].
The choice of tonsillectomy technique is determined based on patient-specific parameters such as age, comorbidities, and the surgical setting. The cold steel dissection technique may be better suited to children or those with increased secondary hemorrhage risk because of its low risk for delayed bleeding. Coblation techniques offer good intraoperative bleeding control but require careful postoperative monitoring in light of the secondary hemorrhage risk. Bipolar diathermy is quick and effective for hemostasis but is to be used with caution in patients with greater bleeding risk.
The studies included in this meta-analysis involved a wide variety of designs, including both retrospective and prospective cohorts, which may introduce some degree of bias. In addition, the heterogeneity of the results indicates the possible effects of unmeasured variables, such as the training of the surgeon and protocols for perioperative care. Moreover, most of the studies were conducted in Asia and the Middle East, which may prevent the generalization of the results worldwide. Future research should concentrate on conducting well-designed randomized controlled trials to directly compare surgical techniques using standardized settings. Further studies should include those examining longer-term outcomes, such as postoperative pain, recovery times, and ratings of satisfaction, to enable a better-balanced evaluation of the techniques.
This meta-analysis highlights considerable differences in hemorrhage rates for tonsillectomy techniques, with cold steel dissection offering the lowest risk of secondary hemorrhage, whereas coblation reduces operational bleeding. This study emphasizes that the surgical technique must be tailored to individual patients and that the standardization of care in the perioperative setting must be improved. Further exploration is warranted to authenticate these findings and provide an evidence-based guideline for tonsillectomy.