Sutures and Wound Repair/ General Surgery (ABSA) Practice Test

Which of the following approaches is used for controlling bleeding in the tonsillar bed?

1. Sutures

2. Pressure

3. Clamps

4. Cautery

The correct answer is: Pressure

Controlling bleeding in the tonsillar bed often involves the application of pressure, which acts to stop the flow of blood from the affected vessels. This method is a basic yet effective approach when dealing with hemorrhage in this area, particularly during surgical procedures such as tonsillectomy. The application of pressure can be done manually or through the use of gauze or other materials, helping to promote hemostasis by physically obstructing blood flow. While sutures can also be used to secure tissue and ligate vessels after identifying a bleed, this method is typically a secondary intervention, applied when initial measures, such as pressure, do not achieve control. Clamps can be instrumental in the surgical environment for temporarily stopping bleeding, but their use may depend on the size and nature of the bleeding vessels. Cautery, which entails using heat to cauterize and seal off vessels, is a more invasive method compared to the initial application of pressure and is often used after primary methods have been applied. The preference for pressure as a first-line intervention stems from its safety and simplicity, making it an effective and easily implementable method for managing minor bleeding events in the tonsillar bed before more advanced techniques are necessary.