Risk factors for postoperative bleeding after endoscopic sinus surgery to treat chronic rhinosinusitis

Background Although there has been progress in improving endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS), patients undergoing ESS are still at risk of postoperative bleeding. Little attention has been given to identifying specific risk factors for postoperative bleeding after ESS to treat chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Objectives The aim of this study was to identify the incidence and risk factors associated with postoperative bleeding in patients who underwent ESS to treat CRS. Materials and methods Six hundred and five patients with CRS who underwent ESS between 2017 and 2020 were included in this retrospective analysis. Univariate and multivariate analysis was performed to assess the association between the incidence of postoperative bleeding and the background characteristics. Results Out of 605 ESSs, 36 (6.0%) patients developed postoperative bleeding. Multiple logistic regression revealed that the use of antiplatelet and/or anticoagulant drugs, the presence of hypertension and the Lund-Mackay CT score were significantly correlated with the occurrence of postoperative bleeding. Conclusion Postoperative bleeding is a common complication following ESS. The risk factors for postoperative bleeding were as follows: the use of antiplatelet and/or anticoagulant drugs, hypertension and the Lund-Mackay CT score.