MASSIVE BLOOD-LOSS DURING TONSILLECTOMY IN A CHILD WITH CONGENITAL VENOUS MALFORMATION

Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy have become frequently performed outpa tient procedures and are generally considered to have a low morbidity profile. Postoperative haemorrhage remains a rare but important compli cation, while intraoperative uncontrollable bleeding is extremely unco mmon. A child with congenital vascular malformation of the lip and oro pharynx undergoing tonsillectomy experienced massive blood loss, subse quent resuscitation and significant perioperative morbidity including a prolonged intensive care unit stay. Preoperative/preanaesthetic naso pharyngoscopic exam and magnetic resonance imaging did not reveal vasc ular prominence of the tonsils. Preoperative consideration of angiogra phy or magnetic resonance angiography may be prudent to avoid this pot entially fatal complication.