bismuth-subgallate and Postoperative-Complications

There have been many attempts at identifying substances and describing methods that would assist the surgeon and be of benefit to the patient undergoing a tonsillectomy. The use of bismuth subgallate as a haemostatic adjunct during tonsillectomy has only been described previously in retrospective studies. A controlled prospective randomized trial of 100 paediatric patients, in which 50 patients had a tonsillectomy performed using bismuth subgallate as a haemostatic agent and in which the remainder did not have any associated haemostatic substance, is presented here. Data on 72 patients was analysed, 39 patients belonging to the bismuth subgallate group and the remaining 33 to the control group. The time for haemostasis was three to 18 (mean 7.8) minutes in the bismuth group. It was four to 16 (mean 9.9) minutes in the non-bismuth group. These figures are statistically significant. The range of ties used in the bismuth group was none to three (mean 1.5) ties and one to seven (mean 3.4) ties in the non-bismuth group. These figures are also statistically significant. The remainder of the recorded parameters did not differ significantly. It was found that bismuth subgallate/adrenaline paste decreases operating time by significantly reducing the haemostasis time and the number of ties required but does not decrease post-operative morbidity.

Topics: Adolescent; Child; Child, Preschool; Gallic Acid; Hemostasis, Surgical; Hemostatics; Humans; Organometallic Compounds; Postoperative Complications; Prospective Studies; Time Factors; Tonsillectomy

Bismuth subgallate, an agent that initiates clotting via activation of factor XII, has been advocated for use in controlling bleeding during tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. Direct aspiration of bismuth has produced pulmonary complications in laboratory animals, but no clinical correlation in humans has been previously described. We report 2 cases of bismuth aspiration that resulted in respiratory difficulty after tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. Neither child's respiratory compromise required airway intubation. This report of pulmonary complications secondary to bismuth aspiration should alert surgeons to the potential for airway problems when using bismuth as a hemostatic agent for tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy.

Topics: Adenoidectomy; Child; Female; Gallic Acid; Hemostatics; Humans; Infant; Inhalation; Organometallic Compounds; Postoperative Complications; Respiratory Insufficiency; Tonsillectomy

Traditionally, adenotonsillectomy in children and tonsillectomy in adults have been performed as inpatient procedures. Our experience with this procedure as outpatient started in 1975 at the University of Miami-Jackson Memorial Medical Center. From 1975 to 1987, 1428 cases performed in Florida and Cleveland were reviewed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the technique used. Bismuth subgallate and epinephrine mixture for hemostasis is used without relying on electrocautery, ties, or suture technique to control bleeding. The incidence of immediate and delayed postoperative bleeding in a series of patients was extremely low (four [0.28%] of 1428 cases). Our technique has good hemostatic properties allowing vessels to contract and retract into the muscle of the tonsillar fossae and adenoid bed. Bismuth subgallate activates factor XII (Hageman factor) and, therefore, markedly accelerates the cascade of blood clotting. Outpatient adenotonsillectomy is safe, cost-effective, and minimizes psychologic implications, which may be an important factor, especially in children. Ambulatory adenotonsillectomy has not been well emphasized in the literature.

Topics: Adenoidectomy; Adult; Ambulatory Surgical Procedures; Bismuth; Child; Epinephrine; Florida; Gallic Acid; Hemorrhage; Hemostasis, Surgical; Hemostatics; Humans; Ohio; Organometallic Compounds; Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; Postoperative Complications; Tonsillectomy