Clinical Assessment of Weight Gain in Pediatric Patients Post-Tonsillectomy: A Retrospective Study

Background Tonsillectomy is one of the most commonly performed surgeries among children. It is indicated for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea and chronic throat infections. Although a relatively safe surgery, post-operative complications have been reported in multiple studies. Over the past century, tonsillectomy has played a role in post-operative weight gain. Aim To measure weight gain in pediatric patients post-tonsillectomy. Methods A retrospective study was conducted in the Al-Ahsa region in Saudi Arabia. Overall, 240 children (male, 110 [44.2%]; female, 130 [52.2%]; mean±SD age, 7.45±2.89 years) from tertiary hospitals were included in the study. The height (m²) and weight (kg) of the children were measured, and the BMI (body mass index) was calculated preoperatively and one and six months post-operatively. Results There were significant differences observed between the mean weight one-month and six months post-operation (P = 0.0001) and the mean BMI measured at the baseline one month and six months post-operation (P = 0.0001). In addition, a positive linear correlation between the BMI six months post-operation and the weight at the same period (R = 0.375) was noted. Conclusion The findings of this study suggest an increase in weight post-tonsillectomy, mostly six months post-operation. Future studies, however, are warranted to evaluate the risk factors associated with weight gain in children and its relation to tonsillectomy.