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The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of post-tonsillectomy and postadenotonsillectomy hemorrhage, and to evaluate risk factors that contribute to this hemorrhage. It was a retrospective study including 5125 patients operated in general anesthesia at our Department between January 1, 1994 and December 31, 2005. A total of 169 (3.29%) patients experienced postoperative bleeding; 69 (40.82%) of them required revision in operating room under general anesthesia. The incidence of bleeding was highest in the 20.01-30 age group. Primary bleeding (< 24 h) occurred in 39 (0.76%) and secondary bleeding in 130 (2.53%) patients. The highest incidence of secondary post-tonsillectomy and post-adenotonsillectomy hemorrhage was between day 6 and day 7 of the operation. There was no statistical significance between men and women in the day when bleeding occurred. In the group of patients requiring revision in the operating room under general anesthesia, 59 (85%) patients had no additional diagnoses that may have contributed to postoperative hemorrhage. Two cases of excessive post-tonsillectomy bleeding requiring suture ligation of the external carotid artery are reported. Hemorrhage following tonsillectomy and adenotonsillectomy is rare and occurs mainly 6 days after surgery. A vast majority of patients do not need revision in the operating room. Male patients aged 20-30 were found to have an increased risk of postoperative hemorrhage.