Does Hydrogen Peroxide Mouthwash Improve the Outcome of Secondary Post-Tonsillectomy Bleed? A 10-year Review

Abstract

Objective:

To determine whether hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) mouthwash influences the outcome of secondary post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage in children.

Study Design:

Ten-year retrospective study of all children with secondary post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage.

Setting:

Tertiary otolaryngology center.

Results:

Of the 156 patients, 59 received H₂O₂ and 97 did not. All patients received broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotics. The average rehospitalization duration due to hemorrhage was 1.7 days (H₂O₂ group) and 1.6 days (control group). In the H₂O₂ group, 8.5% required surgery, compared with 10.3% in the control group. Further hemorrhage episodes requiring readmission occurred in 3.4% of the H₂O₂ group and 3.1% of controls. There was no difference between the 2 groups in rehospitalization duration (P = 0.49), rate of surgical intervention (P = 0.85), and rate of readmission with further hemorrhage (P = 0.92).

Conclusion:

Hydrogen peroxide mouthwash does not improve the outcome of secondary post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage in pediatric patients.

Significance:

This study does not support the common practice of treating post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage with H₂O₂.