Parents' Perception on Post-tonsillectomy Hemorrhage: A Local Survey

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Pediatric Surgery
• Healthcare Research

Background:

• Tonsillectomy is a common otolaryngologic procedure with rare complications.
• Post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage is a significant concern for pediatric patients.
• Parental understanding of post-tonsillectomy complications is crucial for recovery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate parental perception of post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage.
• To identify factors contributing to the development of post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive cross-sectional study surveyed parents of children who underwent tonsillectomy.
• Data collected via online questionnaire included demographics, surgical details, and complications.
• The study assessed parental awareness and reported post-surgical bleeding events.

Main Results:

• Post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage occurred in 5.5% of children, with 44.7% of bleeds happening after 24 hours.
• Common complications included headaches, nausea, swelling, and infection.
• A significant portion of parents had postgraduate degrees, indicating a generally educated respondent pool.

Conclusions:

• A notable rate of tonsillectomy-associated bleeding was observed.
• Deficiencies were identified in healthcare staff's pre-surgical assessment and parental education on complications.
• Improved pre-operative counseling for parents is recommended to address hemorrhage risks.