Postoperative hemorrhage risk is greatest during which time frame after a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy?

Postoperative hemorrhage risk is greatest during which time frame after a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy?

• A. 1-3 days post-op
• B. 4-6 days post-op
• C. 7-10 days post-op
• D. 11-14 days post-op

Answer: (C)

After tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy, the highest risk of bleeding tends to occur during the second week of healing, when the eschar that formed in the tonsillar fossa begins to slough. This secondary hemorrhage typically happens about 7 to 10 days after surgery. The initial postoperative period (the first 24 hours) can have bleeding, but it’s less common as the primary wound-healing phase has passed, and the most predictable bleeding risk window is the 7–10 day range as healing tissue becomes fragile and vessels can rupture. So the best answer is the 7-10 days post-op window.

After tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy, the highest risk of bleeding tends to occur during the second week of healing, when the eschar that formed in the tonsillar fossa begins to slough. This secondary hemorrhage typically happens about 7 to 10 days after surgery. The initial postoperative period (the first 24 hours) can have bleeding, but it’s less common as the primary wound-healing phase has passed, and the most predictable bleeding risk window is the 7–10 day range as healing tissue becomes fragile and vessels can rupture. So the best answer is the 7-10 days post-op window.