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Quality and Readability of Websites on Tongue Base Procedures for Pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Nathan G Rasmussen1, Jeffrey C Mecham2, Patrick Scheffler3

  • 1Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, Mayo Clinic Scottsdale Arizona USA.

World Journal of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
|July 25, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Online information on pediatric tongue base procedures for sleep apnea is of fair quality and too difficult to read. Most websites are for professionals, not patients, highlighting a need for better patient resources.

Area of Science:

  • Otolaryngology
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Health Informatics

Background:

  • Tongue base obstruction causes persistent sleep apnea in pediatric patients post-adenotonsillectomy.
  • The internet is a primary source for patient health information.
  • Assessing online resources for pediatric tongue base procedures is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the quality and readability of patient-directed websites on tongue base procedures for pediatric obstructive sleep apnea.
  • To determine the proportion of online information that specifically addresses pediatric cases.

Main Methods:

  • Searched Google for terms related to tongue base procedures.
  • Included up to 10 relevant sites per query.
  • Assessed website quality using the DISCERN tool and readability with Flesch Reading Ease Score (FRES) and Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL).
  • Analyzed sites for mention of pediatric patients.

Main Results:

  • Analyzed 35 unique websites; mean DISCERN score was 44.7 (fair quality).
  • Mean FRES was 46.3 and FKGL was 11.5, indicating college and 12th-grade reading levels.
  • Only 8/35 sites (23%) mentioned pediatrics, despite the procedures' relevance.

Conclusions:

  • Patient-facing websites on tongue base procedures offer fair quality information at excessively high reading levels.
  • Most available online information is geared towards medical professionals, not patients.
  • There is a significant need for accessible, high-quality online resources for patients regarding pediatric tongue base procedures.
Abstract

Keywords:
educationglossectomyobstructive sleep apneapatientreadabilitytonsillectomy

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