[Hospitalization of children after ENT surgery in Germany]

Area of Science:

• Otorhinolaryngology
• Pediatric Surgery
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Post-tonsillectomy morbidity in children is primarily linked to pain, difficulty swallowing, and bleeding.
• Current data on postoperative care strategies for pediatric patients undergoing otolaryngologic procedures in Germany is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate current hospitalization and postoperative care trends for pediatric patients undergoing otolaryngologic interventions in Germany.
• To identify variations in care strategies and their potential implications.

Main Methods:

• An electronic questionnaire was distributed to heads of German Society of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery (DGHNO) member ENT departments.
• The survey focused on hospitalization strategies for pediatric patients post-surgery.
• A response rate of 72.9% was achieved from 166 surveyed departments.

Main Results:

• A significant portion of departments (64/120) transfer children to pediatric clinics post-surgery, a practice maintained for years in many.
• However, 56 departments keep children within the ENT department, even when specialized pediatric facilities are available.
• Logistical challenges, such as on-call physician response times and patient transportation, were noted, with nursing staff often responsible for emergencies.

Conclusions:

• There is a notable lack of a standardized hospitalization strategy for the postoperative care of children undergoing common otolaryngologic procedures in Germany.
• The findings highlight the need for developing uniform guidelines to ensure consistent and optimal care for pediatric surgical patients.