Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 10, 2026

Using a Virtual Reality Walking Simulator to Investigate Pedestrian Behavior
06:38

Using a Virtual Reality Walking Simulator to Investigate Pedestrian Behavior

Published on: June 9, 2020

5.3K

Reduced mouth opening following tonsillectomy in children: myth or reality

Amer Sabih Hydri1, Sher Muhammad Malik

  • 1Department of ENT, Combined Military Hospital, Pano Aqil. draamerhydri@gmail.com

Journal of the College of Physicians and Surgeons--Pakistan : JCPSP
|January 6, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Tonsillectomy in children may cause temporary mouth opening reduction. However, normal mouth opening (maximum interincisal distance) is typically restored by 26 weeks post-surgery.

Area of Science:

  • Otolaryngology
  • Pediatric Surgery
  • Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Background:

  • Tonsillectomy is a common pediatric surgical procedure.
  • Concerns exist regarding potential long-term effects on oral function, specifically mouth opening.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of tonsillectomy on mouth opening in children.
  • To determine if tonsillectomy leads to a persistent reduction in maximum interincisal distance.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort study involving children undergoing tonsillectomy (n=42) and a control group (n=44) undergoing myringotomy or septoplasty.
  • Maximum interincisal distance (MID) was measured preoperatively and at 1, 2, 4, 12, and 26 weeks postoperatively.
  • Exclusion criteria included pre-operative temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction and other concurrent surgeries.

Main Results:

  • A transient reduction in mouth opening was observed immediately following tonsillectomy.
  • By the 26-week postoperative follow-up, 100% of patients in the tonsillectomy group showed a return to their preoperative MID measurements.

Conclusions:

  • Reduced mouth opening after pediatric tonsillectomy is a temporary condition.
  • Normal mouth opening is typically regained by approximately 26 weeks post-tonsillectomy, indicating no long-term functional deficit.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Eye Tracking Young Children with Autism09:03

Eye Tracking Young Children with Autism

Published on: March 27, 2012

46.6K
Split-Ubiquitin Based Membrane Yeast Two-Hybrid MYTH System: A Powerful Tool For Identifying Protein-Protein Interactions14:04

Split-Ubiquitin Based Membrane Yeast Two-Hybrid MYTH System: A Powerful Tool For Identifying Protein-Protein Interactions

Published on: February 1, 2010

32.0K

Related Concept Videos

Adaptations that Reduce Water Loss01:57

Adaptations that Reduce Water Loss

Though evaporation from plant leaves drives transpiration, it also results in loss of water. Because water is critical for photosynthetic reactions and other cellular processes, evolutionary pressures on plants in different environments have driven the acquisition of adaptations that reduce water loss.
28.3K
Drug Dosing: Infants and Children01:29

Drug Dosing: Infants and Children

Pediatric patient dosages diverge from adults due to disparities in body surface area, total body water, and extracellular fluid per kilogram of body weight. The dosing regimen considers the variations in pharmacokinetics and pharmacology across distinct age groups, encompassing preterm newborns, infants, young children, older children, and adolescents. Calculation of pediatric patient doses is predicated on determining body surface area, which exhibits a superior correlation with the child's...
317
Assessment of the Mouth01:26

Assessment of the Mouth

A thorough mouth assessment, including inspection and palpation of the lips, gums, tongue, tonsils, uvula, and pharynx, is crucial in detecting potential health issues. Diseases ranging from oral cancer to systemic conditions like diabetes could be identified early through careful oral examination. This article provides a detailed guide on conducting a comprehensive mouth assessment.
Mouth Inspection
The inspection begins with visually examining the mouth for symmetry, color, and size.
1.2K
Reducing Line Loss01:18

Reducing Line Loss

In a three-phase circuit, line loss is an indicator of energy dissipated as heat due to the resistance of transmission lines. To address this, incorporating transformers into the system—a step-up transformer at the source and a step-down transformer at the load—is a strategic solution. Two three-phase transformers are introduced to improve this.
With a step-up transformer at the source, the voltage is increased, thereby reducing the current in the transmission lines since power loss in...
392
Methods of reducing fever01:22

Methods of reducing fever

The signs and symptoms of fever include hot and dry skin, flushed face, thirst, muscle aches, anorexia, headache, tachycardia, tachypnea, and fatigue. Elevated body temperature is reduced using two methods: pharmacological and nonpharmacological. Proper identification and treatment of the root cause of a fever is of utmost importance.
Pharmacological Methods of Reducing Fever:
1.4K
Role of Reduced Coenzymes NADH and FADH₂01:29

Role of Reduced Coenzymes NADH and FADH₂

The energy released from the breakdown of the chemical bonds within nutrients can be stored either through the reduction of electron carriers or in the bonds of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). In living systems, a small class of compounds functions as mobile electron carriers, molecules that bind to and shuttle high-energy electrons between compounds in pathways. The principal electron carriers that will be considered originate from the B vitamin group and are derivatives of nucleotides; they are...
16.9K