Preoperative Screening for Potential T&A Bleeding

Abstract

Two hundred and six patients prior to tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy (T&A) were screened utilizing the partial thromboplastin test (PTT). No bleeding abnormalities were detected in our series. However, the PTT has been shown to be a valuable presurgical screening test for bleeding because it is the most precise and reproducible single test which will detect 90% or more of the latent or unsuspected potential bleeders. The test must be carefully done but is easily performed, is commercially available, and can accurately be done in the smallest laboratory. Since unsuspected bleeders who previously would not have been detected with a bleeding and coagulation time can now be discovered by the PTT and because they are not rare, routine preoperative screening is advocated.