A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF PER AND POST-OPERATIVE COMPLICATIONS IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING EARLY AND DELAYED INTERVAL TONSILLECTOMIES

Abstract: Background: Peritonsillar abscess is most prevalent deep neck space infection and treatment is mainly medical and surgical. There are three major surgical procedures namely incision & drainage, interval tonsillectomy and needle aspiration. Aim: To compare per and post-operative complications in patients of PTA undergoing early and delayed interval tonsillectomies in respect of pain, hemorrhage and hospital stay. Material and Methods: It was a randomized control trial study of sixty patients of peritonsillar abscess. Among thirty patients early interval tonsillectomy was performed while other thirty patients underwent delayed interval tonsillectomy. The study was conducted in ENT Department of Lahore General Hospital, Lahore. Results: The age range in both groups was 13-46 years. The male to female ratio was 2.3:1 and 1.3:1 in group I and II respectively. Per-operative hemorrhage in group I, mild in 53.3% patients, moderate in 36.7% and severe in 10.0% patients while in group II, mild in 43.3%, moderate in 40.0% and severe in 16.7% patients. A Single case in group II had secondary hemorrhage. Post-operative pain in group I was mild in 66.7%, moderate in 26.7% and severe in 6.7% patients while in group II, it was mild in 26.7%, moderate in 56.7% and severe in 16.7% patients. The duration of hospital stay less than one week was 76.7% in group I and 13.3% in group II. Conclusion: Early interval tonsillectomy has a lower incidence of postoperative hemorrhage and pain with less hospital stay as compared to delayed interval tonsillectomy.