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Use of a Gelatin-Thrombin Hemostatic Matrix for Secondary Bleeding After Pediatric Tonsillectomy. Importance: Secondary posttonsillectomy bleeding associated with oozing from multiple sites or overcauterized tonsillar bed deserves special evaluation. Objective: To evaluate the use of an absorbable, flowable gelatin-thrombin hemostatic matrix (GTHM) sealant for secondary bleeding after tonsillectomy. Design, Setting, and Participants: This was a retrospective data analysis, with information gathered from medical records of pediatric patients with secondary posttonsillectomy bleeding treated with the GTHM between 2012 and 2016 at a referral center and a local satellite facility. Forty-two pediatric patients admitted with secondary bleeding after tonsillectomy characterized by diffuse bleeding, multiple bleeding sites, or an overcauterized tonsillar bed, were treated with GTHM. Exclusion criteria were a bleeding disorder, genetic syndrome associated with abnormal oropharyngeal anatomy, and hemorrhage from a single site. Exposures: GTHM was used to treat posttonsillectomy secondary bleeding. Main Outcomes and Measures: Patient medical records were reviewed for information relevant to this study: (1) patient history, the tonsillectomy surgical technique used, and whether there were prior bleeding episodes (and if so, methods of treatment); (2) physical examination and laboratories on presentation, operative report details, and results of treatment; (3) hospital course and whether any further bleeding episodes occurred; and (4) hospital follow-up information (range, 3-20 months). Results: The study population comprised 22 boys (52%) and 20 girls (48%) (a total of 42 patients), and the mean (SD) age was 7 (2.7) years (range, 4-14 years). Two patients had presented with recurrent secondary bleeding necessitating multiple operations, but the others had only 1 episode. The mean day of occurrence of bleeding was on the eighth day (range, day 7-12; median, day 10). Only 2 patients required blood transfusions: they were the same patients who underwent multiple operations for recurrent episodes of secondary bleeding. All patients except for 1 (41 of 42) were discharged without further bleeding following treatment. No adverse effects were reported. Conclusions and Relevance: Results suggest that GTHM is generally simple, safe, and effective for use in the treatment of posttonsillectomy secondary bleeding types not associated with a direct vein or artery source but oozing from multiple sites and/or overcauterized tonsillar bed that cannot be stopped by traditional hemostatic methods.