Our Summary

This research paper sent out a survey to pediatric ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctors to see how many of them follow the recommended guidelines for admitting children to the hospital after they’ve had their tonsils removed. These guidelines suggest that children should stay in the hospital overnight for observation if they have certain risk factors, like sleep apnea, being younger than 3, or low oxygen levels.

Of the doctors surveyed, about a third said they always follow these guidelines, while 60% said they often do. Doctors who had been practicing for 10 years or less were more likely to stick closely to these guidelines. Also, doctors who worked at universities were more likely to keep children under 3 in the hospital than those in private practice.

The study found that practice varies quite a bit among these doctors, suggesting there’s room for more research on why this is the case and how it might affect children’s health after surgery.

FAQs

  1. What are the recommended guidelines for admitting children to the hospital after tonsillectomy?
  2. How many doctors reportedly adhere strictly to these guidelines according to the survey?
  3. Does the length of a doctor’s practice or their workplace affect their adherence to the recommended guidelines post-tonsillectomy?

Doctor’s Tip

A helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about tonsillectomy is to make sure to follow post-operative care instructions closely, including staying hydrated, eating soft foods, and avoiding strenuous activities. It’s also important to keep a close eye on any signs of complications, such as excessive bleeding or signs of infection, and to contact your doctor if you have any concerns. Additionally, it’s important to discuss with your doctor whether overnight observation in the hospital is recommended based on your individual risk factors.

Suitable For

Patients who are typically recommended a tonsillectomy include those who have recurrent tonsillitis (multiple episodes of tonsillitis in a year), obstructive sleep apnea (breathing difficulties during sleep due to enlarged tonsils), difficulty swallowing due to enlarged tonsils, and recurrent abscesses in the tonsils. Additionally, patients with bleeding disorders or other medical conditions that increase the risk of complications during surgery may also be recommended a tonsillectomy.

Timeline

Before tonsillectomy:

  • The patient may experience frequent throat infections, difficulty swallowing, snoring, or sleep apnea.
  • The patient may consult with an ENT doctor to discuss the need for a tonsillectomy.
  • Preoperative tests and evaluations may be conducted to assess the patient’s overall health and readiness for surgery.

After tonsillectomy:

  • The patient undergoes the tonsillectomy procedure, which typically lasts about 30 minutes.
  • The patient is monitored in the recovery room for a few hours before being discharged home.
  • The patient may experience pain, swelling, and difficulty swallowing in the days following the surgery.
  • Follow-up appointments with the ENT doctor may be scheduled to monitor the healing process and address any complications.

Overall, the timeline for a patient before and after tonsillectomy involves preoperative consultations, the surgical procedure itself, and postoperative care and monitoring to ensure a smooth recovery.

What to Ask Your Doctor

Some questions a patient should ask their doctor about tonsillectomy include:

  1. What are the potential risks and complications associated with a tonsillectomy?
  2. How long is the recovery period after a tonsillectomy?
  3. Will my child need to stay in the hospital overnight for observation after the surgery?
  4. What are the criteria for determining if a child needs to be admitted to the hospital after a tonsillectomy?
  5. How many tonsillectomies have you performed, and what is your success rate?
  6. What is your plan for managing pain and discomfort after the surgery?
  7. How soon after the surgery can my child resume normal activities, such as school and sports?
  8. Are there any dietary restrictions my child should follow after a tonsillectomy?
  9. How often should my child follow up with you after the surgery?
  10. Are there any long-term effects or considerations we should be aware of following a tonsillectomy?

Reference

Authors: Rollins JT, Wajsberg B, Bitners AC, Burton WB, Hametz PA, Chambers TA, Yang CJ. Journal: Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2022 Nov;162:111286. doi: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2022.111286. Epub 2022 Aug 19. PMID: 36206700