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Published on: November 6, 2019
Differences in pain and nausea in children operated on by Tonsillectomy or Tonsillotomy - a prospective follow-up
Ulrica Ahlstav Mårtensson1, Nann Erling Hasselqvist, Barbro Boström
1Ulrica Ahlstav Mårtensson MSc RN Registered Nurse Childrens Health/ICU Department of Childrens Health, Halmstad Hospital, Halmstad, Sweden. martensson.ulrica@bredband.net
Insights
Tonsillotomy leads to less postoperative pain and nausea in children compared to tonsillectomy. This less invasive procedure also results in shorter recovery times and fewer eating difficulties after discharge.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric surgery
- Otolaryngology
- Pain management
Background:
- Tonsillectomy carries risks of bleeding, severe pain, and nausea.
- Tonsillotomy, a less invasive alternative, is associated with lower risks in prior studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare postoperative pain, nausea, and discharge times between tonsillectomy and tonsillotomy in children aged 3-12.
- To evaluate outcomes in the post-anesthetic care unit, children's ward, and at home.
Main Methods:
- Prospective, comparative follow-up study.
- 87 children (3-12 years) undergoing tonsillectomy or tonsillotomy.
- Visual analogue scale (VAS) used for pain and nausea assessment.
Main Results:
- Fewer tonsillotomy patients reported significant pain (VAS ≥ 3) in PACU and ward.
- Lower incidence of significant nausea (VAS ≥ 3) in tonsillotomy patients during PACU and ward care.
- Shorter postoperative care duration for tonsillotomy patients in PACU and ward.
- Tonsillectomy patients experienced more pain and eating difficulties post-discharge.
Conclusions:
- Tonsillotomy is a more favorable surgical option for children compared to tonsillectomy.
- The study highlights reduced postoperative pain and nausea with tonsillotomy.
Aim:
To evaluate the differences in postoperative pain, nausea and time of discharge in children 3-12 years old after Tonsillectomy or Tonsillotomy at the postanaesthetic care unit, children's ward and at home.
Background:
Tonsillectomy involves risk of bleeding, severe postoperative pain and nausea. Tonsillotomy is a less invasive method with lower risk of bleeding, postoperative pain and nausea according to previous studies.
Design:
A prospective, comparative follow-up study design.
Method:
From December 2008-April 2009 following parental agreement, 87 children in the ages 3-12 undergoing Tonsillectomy or Tonsillotomy participated. Visual analogue scale was used for children's pain and nausea reports.
Result:
Significantly, fewer children operated on by the Tonsillotomy reported postoperative pain ≥ 3 according to the visual analogue scale than children operated on by the Tonsillectomy at the postanaesthetic care unit and the children's ward. A statistically significant difference of postoperative nausea was only present during the care at the postanaesthetic care unit and children's ward with fewer Tonsillotomy children reporting nausea ≥ 3. The time of postoperative care was shorter among the Tonsillotomy children in both the postanaesthetic care unit and the children's ward. Postoperative pain and pain related difficulties in eating after discharge was significantly more present among the Tonsillectomy children compared with the Tonsillotomy children.
Conclusion:
The results of our study showed duration of postoperative pain and nausea in both groups, but indicated that Tonsillotomy is a more favourable alternative than Tonsillectomy in children.
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