Childhood tonsillectomy: who is referred and what treatment choices are made? Baseline findings from the North of England and Scotland Study of Tonsillectomy and Adenotonsillectomy in Children (NESSTAC)

Abstract

Preference for tonsillectomy reflects educational impact and recent experience, rather than age or socio-economic status.

A randomized clinical trial of a nurse telephone follow‐up on paediatric tonsillectomy pain management and complications

“…The incidence in England in 2005–2006 was 51,000 surgeries, of which 58% were in children (Lock et al . ). Tonsillectomy nonetheless generates moderate‐to‐severe pain and engenders many postoperative complications, both in the early postoperative phase and for at least 7 days thereafter (Hamers & Abu‐Saad , Sutters et al .…”

“…In the USA alone, 530,000 children under the age of 15 years underwent a tonsillectomy in 2006 (Cullen et al 2009). The incidence in England in [2005][2006] was 51,000 surgeries, of which 58% were in children (Lock et al 2010). Tonsillectomy nonetheless generates moderate-to-severe pain and engenders many postoperative complications, both in the early postoperative phase and for at least 7 days thereafter (Hamers & Abu-Saad 2002, Sutters et al 2004, Wiggins & Foster 2007.…”

Patient Attitudes to Tonsillectomy

“…Once referred to ENT, patients undergoing a preferred treatment option for recurrent tonsillitis experence improved outcomes. Patient treatment preference tends to be influenced by medical advice and recent experience rather than age or socioeconomic status [6]. …”

The role of adenotonsillectomy in graft-versus-host disease

“…Some variation may be accounted for by differences in treatment practices among general practitioners, pediatricians, and otolaryngologists for recurrent tonsillitis and upper airway conditions [2]. Adenotonsillectomy choices are also influenced by patient and family preferences [3]. The current lack of international consensus on surgical indications and perioperative management has prompted recent publications supporting the need for evidence-based clinical practice guidelines [4,5].…”