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Published on: November 6, 2019
Paediatric tonsillectomy: parental experience and outcomes
P J Robb1, K Gowrinath, K Agyeman
1Department of Otolaryngology, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust, UK. peter.robb@epsom-sthelier.nhs.uk
Insights
Parental satisfaction and positive health outcomes were reported following childhood tonsillectomy. This study highlights the high value patients place on tonsillectomy benefits, despite public health cost-saving measures.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Pediatric Surgery
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Tonsillectomy is a common surgical procedure in children.
- Recurrent tonsillitis and upper airway obstruction are primary indications.
- The current healthcare climate questions the economic viability of high-volume procedures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess parental experience and satisfaction with childhood tonsillectomy.
- To evaluate health outcomes from the parental perspective.
- To understand patient-reported benefits of tonsillectomy.
Main Methods:
- A structured postal questionnaire was administered to parents/guardians.
- The study included 77 children undergoing elective day-case tonsillectomy.
- A response rate of 63.6% was achieved from parents/guardians.
Main Results:
- Overall satisfaction with the tonsillectomy procedure was high.
- Parents reported positive health outcomes for their children post-surgery.
- The benefits of tonsillectomy were highly rated by service users.
Conclusions:
- Childhood tonsillectomy yields high parental satisfaction and positive outcomes.
- Patients highly value the benefits of tonsillectomy, supporting its continued use.
- The study findings contrast with public health agendas focused on limiting such procedures.
Objective:
To evaluate parental experience, satisfaction and outcomes following their child's tonsillectomy surgery.
Design:
Structured postal questionnaire sent to the parents or guardians of 77 sequential children undergoing elective day-case tonsillectomy.
Subjects:
Seventy-seven children with a mean age of 6.25 years (range three to 17 years) undergoing day-case tonsillectomy predominantly for recurrent acute tonsillitis, upper airway obstruction or a combination of these symptoms; 63.6 per cent of the parents or guardians of these children responded to the questionnaire.
Results:
There was overall satisfaction with the operation, and positive health outcomes.
Conclusions:
Despite the current public health agenda to limit access to routine high volume operations such as childhood tonsillectomy on economic grounds, the users of this service rated the outcomes and benefits of the procedure highly.
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