SISP: Information and Reports
Information about the surveillance programme
The surveillance programme monitors all tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy surgery performed by NHS hospital in Wales (and associated private hospitals) with the specified single-use steel instruments.
Instrument safety and performance
Instrument safety is measured by postoperative haemorrhage rates. These are serious bleeds that can occur after surgery, either during the hospital stay or after the patient has returned home. They require the patient to be returned to the theatre to further prevent bleeding.
Instrument performance is based on assessment of each instrument in use by the surgeon at the time of surgery and is reported as either a minor problem (instrument can however, be continued to be used) or major problem (instrument must be replaced immediately).
Factors considered in the surveillance
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Type of procedure undertaken
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Age and sex of the patient
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Whether there was a bleed requiring a return to theatre (postoperative haemorrhage repair) or not requiring a return to theatre
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Primary bleed (during the hospital stay) or secondary bleed (requiring patient to be readmitted to hospital)
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Return to theatre complication rates
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Number of single-use instruments used
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Minor and major instrument problems noted
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% instrument problems with number of instruments used
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Surgeon comments on problematic instruments
Surveillance reports
All Wales Annual Tonsillectomy Surveillance Report: 2008 [.pdf, 280kb]
All Wales Annual Tonsillectomy Surveillance Report: 2007 [.pdf, 160kb]
All Wales Annual Tonsillectomy Surveillance Report: 2006 [.pdf, 278kb]
All Wales Annual Tonsillectomy Surveillance Report: 2004-2005 .pdf, 328kb]
Last updated:
30/01/2013
