Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
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Adenotonsillectomy is generally safe surgery, but surgeons should be cognizant of potential complications and be prepared to manage them. Postoperative hemorrhage usually responds to local measures or cautery but can be life-threatening. Preoperative screening of coagulation profiles appears unnecessary. ⋯ Sore throat, otalgia, fever, dehydration, and uvular edema are more common postoperative complaints. Less common complications include atlantoaxial subluxation, mandible condyle fracture, infection, eustachian tube injury, and psychological trauma. The prevalence, management, and strategies for avoidance of these are discussed.
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Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg · Jan 1998
Case ReportsFatal meningitis and brain abscess resulting from foreign body-induced otomastoiditis.
Herein we report what we believe to be the only published case of an intracranial complication of otomastoiditis resulting from foreign-body material. The presence of a foreign body must be ruled out in any chronically draining ear, and all foreign material must be removed. ⋯ Fever, malodorous ear drainage, and the presence of granulation tissue are warming findings. A high index of suspicion of infectious complications must be maintained in evaluating all patients with ear disease.