¿Es necesario repetir el estudio de sueño de control a todos los niños con SAHOS moderado-severo tras la cirugía? / Is it necessary to perform a follow-up study after adenotonsillectomy in all children with moderate-severe obstructive sleep apnoea?

La hipertrofia adenoamigdalar es, en niños sin patología de base, la causa más frecuente de SAHOS y, por tanto, la adenoamigdalectomía constituye la primera línea de tratamiento. Diferentes sociedades científicas recomiendan la realización de una PSG de control en el seguimiento, en caso de niños con patología de base o si el diagnóstico previo a la cirugía era de SAHOS moderado o severo, debido a la tendencia creciente de publicaciones con SAHOS residual tras adenoamigdalectomía. Se analiza retrospectivamente la correlación entre la percepción de los padres tras cirugía ORL y el resultado de la PSG de control en niños con diagnóstico de SAHOS severo en los que se ha realizado tratamiento quirúrgico. Se incluyeron 41 niños con SAHOS severo y cirugía adenoamigdalar, cuya tasa de curación ha sido del 80,48%. Se observa muy buena correlación entre la percepción de los padres tras el tratamiento y los índices en la PSG de control, destacando que cuando los padres percibían que el paciente había experimentado una «resolución completa» (no ronquido ni apneas), el 90,62% de los niños presentaban un IAHO<2/h en el control posterior al tratamiento, siendo el IAHO residual máximo de 2,6/h. Concluimos que, en un niño sin patología de base, la información aportada por los padres acerca de la evolución clínica tras la cirugía podría ser discriminativa para elegir a aquellos pacientes a los que solicitar un estudio de control, evitando sobrecargas en las unidades de sueño.(AU)

Hypertrophy of adenotonsillar tissue is the most common cause of OSAS in otherwise healthy children, and therefore adenotonsillectomy is the first line treatment. Scientific societies recommend nocturnal follow-up PSG to assess for residual OSAS in children with preoperative evidence for moderate to severe OSAS, obesity, craniofacial anomalies that obstruct the upper airway and neurological disorders, based on the increasing trend of publications reporting residual OSAS after adenotonsillectomy. Follow-up PSG values in children with a pre-operative diagnosis of severe OSAS were analysed retrospectively, and compared to the parents’ impression after ENT surgery. The study population included 41 healthy children with severe OSAS and adenotonsillar surgery. The percentage of children with normal PSG parameters (AHI <2/h) after adenotonsillectomy was 80.48%. A very good correlation was observed between the parents’ perception after treatment and the follow-up PSG parameters, specifically when the parents perceived that the patient had shown «complete resolution» (no snoring or apnoea), 90.62% of the children had an AHI <2/h in the follow-up PSG, the maximum residual AHI being 2.6/h. In healthy children with no underlying pathology, the information provided by the parents on clinical progression after surgery could be useful and might enable the selection of those patients who require a follow-up study, avoiding overload in sleep units.(AU)

Effects of a posttonsillectomy management program using a mobile instant messenger on parents' knowledge and anxiety, and their children's compliance, bleeding, and pain.

PURPOSE: Pediatric tonsillectomy is a highly common surgery for children. The inclusion of tonsillectomy in the diagnosis-related group payment system in Korea has resulted in a shorter hospital stay for patients who undergo tonsillectomy. This, in turn, provides parents with additional caregiver roles in the home. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the effects of a postdischarge management program (PDMP) using Mobile Instant Messenger (MIM) on parents' knowledge and state anxiety about postoperative care, and their children's compliance with care instructions at home, frequency of bleeding, and pain intensity after tonsillectomy. DESIGN AND METHODS: A nonequivalent control group nonsynchronized design. SETTINGS AND PARTICIPANTS: Participants were 52 tonsillectomy children aged 3-7 years and their 52 parents (27 for the experimental group and 25 for the control group) from a hospital, in Korea. The control group received a routine written and oral predischarge education, while the experimental group received a predischarge education and a daily MIM for 7 days. For the experimental group, bidirectional communication between the nurse and parent when necessary using MIM are available during the intervention period. RESULTS: Parents in the experimental group reported a significantly higher knowledge about postdischarge management and lower state anxiety than the control group. Children in the experimental group showed a significantly greater improvement in compliance with the care instructions at home than the control group. However, bleeding frequency and pain intensity were not significantly lower in the experimental group than that in the control group. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Nurses play a critical role in preventing and managing the complications of tonsillectomy. Providing proper parental education about pediatric posttonsillectomy care at home is critical for a successful recovery. With the explosion of smartphone technology, the MIM-based PDMP is a useful and effective strategy in helping parents and children in posttonsillectomy care at home.

Acupuncture in posttonsillectomy pain : A prospective, double-blinded, randomized, controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative swallowing pain is one of the most unpleasant after-effects of tonsillectomy. During recent years, the demand for alternatives to drug-based pain therapy has continued to grow, although the topic has received little research attention until now. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 46 patients were randomized into verum acupuncture, control acupuncture, and drug-based treatment groups. All patients received nonsteroidal antirheumatic drugs (NSAIDs). One hour after drug intake, the verum group also received acupuncture according to classical acupuncture rules (S34, S44 and PC5). The control group had acupuncture needles placed at nonspecific acupuncture points in the midaxillary line. Acupuncture was performed by a blinded acupuncturist, who had learnt exclusively these techniques in the run up to the study. Patients were asked to evaluate their pain before, and at intervals of 20 min, 1 h, 2 h, and 3 h after drug intake/acupuncture treatment using a visual analog scale (VAS). RESULTS: The analgesic effect of acupuncture was significant up to 3 hours in the verum group (p < 0.05). The analgesic effect in the control acupuncture group was significant for up to 1 h after acupuncture (p < 0.05). With reference to the time point before acupuncture, the differences between both acupuncture groups and the drug group were significant (p < 0.01) over the whole time. CONCLUSION: Acupuncture is an effective complement to NSAIDs in the treatment of posttonsillectomy pain. Particularly patients with allergies, drug intolerance, or reduced response to the commonly administered drugs may benefit from acupuncture.

Síndrome de PFAPA: diagnóstico y evolución post-agmidalectomía. Stadística propia / PFAPA syndrome: diagnosis and post-tonsillectomy evolution. Our own statistics / PFAPA síndrome: diagnóstico e evolução pós-amigdalectomia. Estatística própria

Introducción: el síndrome de PFAPA (fiebre periódica, estomatitis aftosa, faringitis y adenopatías), se diagnostica mediante la exclusión de otras patologías pediátricas. El score diagnóstico de Gaslini resulta útil al momento de evaluar el riesgo del paciente de padecer una de estas enfermedades inflamatorias, orientando según el resultado al diagnóstico o la exclusión de una de ellas con una sensibilidad del 95% y una especificidad del 82%. No se comprende aún su etiología ni la causa de su respuesta frente a los corticoides y a la amigdalectomía. Marco referencial: En el Servicio de Otorrinolaringología de la Clínica Universitaria Reina Fabiola se sugiere amigdalectomía terapéutica frente a la falta de respuesta de la terapia corticoidea en los niños diagnosticados con síndrome de PFAPA. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo- descriptivo, mediante revisión de historias clínicas y control telefónico posquirúrgico a los 90 días, de todos los pacientes amigdalectomizados por padecer de síndrome de PFAPA para caracterizar la muestra, evaluar la remisión o no de las crisis febriles y correlacionar este resultado con el score de Gaslini. Resultados: n= 5. Promedio de edad = 3,8 años. Promedio de edad de inicio de las crisis = 3 años. Se observó abundancia de crisis con síntomas floridos y sólo un paciente con historia familiar positiva. El score de Gaslini arrojó pacientes de bajo riesgo. El control telefónico encontró remisión completa de las crisis en todos los pacientes. Conclusiones: Resultados alentadores post-amigdalectomía. Respaldo del score de Gaslini.

Introduction: PFAPA syndrome (periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharingytis, and adenopaty), is a periodic fever syndrome which is diagnosed by excluding other diseases. It usually begins between 2 and 5 years old. It is known that Gaslini Score is useful to evaluate the patient’s risk of developing one of these inflammatory diseases, having a sensitivity of 95% and a specificity of 82%. Neither its etiology, nor their response to corticosteroids and tonsillectomy is still clear. Framework: In the Department of Otolaryngology at the Clínica Universitaria Reina Fabiola, therapeutic tonsillectomy is suggested when PFAPA syndrome is diagnosed and response against corticosteroids fails to curb the incidence of this disease in the daily life of the child. Materials and methods: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted by reviewing medical records and telephone control at 90 days after surgery, in all patients undergoing tonsillectomy that suffer syndrome PFAPA, in order to characterize the patients included, evaluate remission and correlate this results with gaslini score. Results: n= 5. Average age = 3.8 years. Average age of onset of the crisis = 3 years. Many patients had generalized symptoms as companions of the crisis, but only one had a positive family history. Gaslini’s score dropped as a result all low-risk patients. The telephone control found a complete remission of crises in all patients. Conclusions: Post-tonsillectomy results, in our patients that have PFAPA syndrome, are encouraging as definitive therapy, as well as the correlation with the score of Gaslini.

Introdução: o PFAPA síndrome (febre periódica, estomatite aftosa, faringite e linfadenopatia), é diagnosticada pela exclusão de outras patologias pediátricas. A pontuação de Gaslini é útil quando se avalia risco de desenvolver uma dessas doenças inflamatórias do paciente, orientando-o com o resultado de diagnóstico ou exclusão com uma sensibilidade de 95% e uma especificidade de 82%. Ainda não se compreende a sua etiologia ou causa da sua resposta aos corticoides e amigdalectomia. Quadro de referência: No Departamento de Otorrinolaringologia da Clínica Universitaria Reina Fabiola se sugere amigdalectomia terapêutica frente a falta de resposta da terapia com corticosteróides em crianças com diagnóstico de síndrome de PFAPA. Materiais e métodos: Um estudo descritivo retrospectivo foi realizado pela revisão dos prontuários e de controle telefonico pós-cirúrgico após 90 dias, de todos os pacientes pós-amigdalectomia por sofrer síndrome PFAPA para caracterizar a amostra, avaliar a remissão ou não as convulsões febris e correlacionar este resultado com score de Gaslini. Resultados: n = 5. Edade média = 3,8 anos. Edade média de início das crises = 3 anos. Observou-se abundância de crise com sintomas floridas e sómente uma história familiar positiva. A pontuação de Gaslini indicou pacientes de baixo risco. O controle telefonico deu como resultado uma remissão completa das crises em todos os pacientes. Conclusões: Resultados encorajadores pós-amigdalectomia. Respaldo do score de Gaslini.

A Pilot Program: Using Text Messaging to Improve Timely Communication to Tonsillectomy Patients.

Approximately 1,500 tonsillectomies are performed annually at a large pediatric academic medical center each year. Families need to be educated on how to care for their child after this surgery. Most tonsillectomy patients are discharged home either the same day as surgery or after one night of observation, resulting in post-operative tonsillectomy recovery and care falling upon the patient's family. Multiple quality improvement efforts to improve family education post tonsillectomy surgery have been performed over the last several years at a large pediatric academic medical center. None of these efforts, however, have focused on the use of technology to provide innovative patient education. The purpose of this project is to provide information to parents via text messages and videos to improve patient experience and outcomes following tonsillectomy. Families provided positive feedback, including that the texts were helpful, easy to understand, and reduced pre-operative and recovery anxiety. Also, none of these families needed to call the ENT clinic for any other questions or concerns. The recovery from tonsillectomy is not easy and this pediatric otolaryngology practice is always searching for new ways to improve care and education. Use of technology is an innovative approach and likely one that will be used more often in the future.

Parental Analgesic Knowledge and Decision Making for Children With and Without Obstructive Sleep Apnea After Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy.

Tonsillectomy is a common and painful procedure often indicated for children with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) who are at risk for opioid-related toxicity. Whether parents whose children have OSA understand the risks of opioids is unknown. The purpose of this study was to examine whether parents whose children have OSA have greater opioid risk understanding and would be less likely to give an opioid to a child exhibiting oversedation compared to parents whose children do not have OSA. The study design was a secondary analysis of a prospective observational study. The study was conducted in a large academic, tertiary care children's hospital in the Midwest. 224 parents whose children with or without OSA underwent tonsillectomy with/without adenoidectomy were included. Parents were assessed for opioid adverse event understanding and then made decisions to give/withhold opioids for a child exhibiting adverse effects. After discharge, parents recorded all opioid doses they gave their child. There were no differences in opioid understanding between OSA and non-OSA groups, and nearly half in both would give an opioid to the child exhibiting oversedation. Similar amounts of opioids were given at home. OSA did not predict parents' opioid decisions; however, around-the-clock instruction predicted greater opioid use at home. Parents whose children had OSA had a similar understanding of opioid-related oversedation compared to other parents, and half would give a prescribed opioid when signs of oversedation were present, suggesting a need for improved understanding and recognition of this sign of toxicity, and of what to do should this symptom present.

Tratamento endovascular de sangramento tardio pós tonsilectomia / Endovascular treatment of delayed bleeding after tonsillectomy

A tonsilectomia é um dos procedimentos mais realizados por otorrinolaringologistas e possui como principal complicação a hemorragia. Alguns casos podem se manifestar tardiamente e se relacionam com a formação de pseudoaneurismas. Apesar de rara, essa é uma complicação grave e pode levar ao óbito se não tratada devidamente. Em casos de sangramento significativo, as reintervenções cirúrgicas são necessárias, sendo as 3 formas mais comuns: sutura, cauterização ou por tratamento endovascular. O nosso estudo tem por objetivo apresentar o histórico de uma paciente de 28 anos, sexo feminino, com sangramento maciço pós tonsilectomia no 31º dia de pós-operatório. Foi realizada abordagem endovascular e diagnosticada lesão em artéria facial esquerda. O tratamento definitivo foi por embolização seletiva de artéria facial com micromola e partículas de polivinil álcool (P.V.A.) 500 μm, nessa ordem de utilização, a fim de evitar-se embolização distal. O método endovascular mostrou-se seguro, definitivo e seletivo.

Tonsillectomy is one of the most common procedures that otorhinolaryngologists perform. Hemorrhages are the principal complication. Some cases of hemorrhage can have delayed onset and these are related to formation of pseudoaneurysms. While this complication is rare, it is serious and can be fatal if it is not treated correctly. In cases with significant bleeding, surgical reintervention is needed and the 3 most common methods are suture, cauterization and endovascular treatment. The objective of this article is to report on the case of a 28-year-old female patient with massive post-tonsillectomy bleeding 31 days after the operation. An endovascular approach was taken and an injury to a left facial artery was diagnosed. Definitive treatment was achieved by selective embolization of the facial artery with microcoils and 500 μm particles of polyvinyl alcohol (P.V.A.), in that sequence, in order to avoid distal embolization. The endovascular method proved to be safe, selective and definitive.

A randomized controlled trial of the effectiveness of educating parents about distraction to decrease postoperative pain in children at home after tonsillectomy.

Today, parents are more involved with postoperative pain management, because children are discharged as early as possible after surgery. The purpose of this randomized controlled trial was to determine the effectiveness of educating parents to provide distraction in addition to pharmacologic pain management in decreasing postoperative pain at home for children ages 3 to 7 years. Ninety-three children aged 3-7 years having tonsillectomy at Landspitali, The National University Hospital of Iceland, and their parents were randomized to one of two intervention groups. The interventions were pharmacologic pain management education (control group) and pharmacologic pain management education with distraction (experimental group). Pain was measured by parent's report of pain behavior during the evening on postoperative days 1 and 2 and child's report of pain intensity on eight time points on postoperative days 1 and 2. Sixty-nine children had complete data. The results from RM-ANCOVA showed that when adjusting for pain intensity in the morning on postoperative day 1 that educating parents about distraction in addition to educating them about pain medication management decreases mean pain behavior scores (p < .001). There was no difference in pain intensity between the groups using RM-ANCOVA. However, there was association between pain intensity in the morning on postoperative day 1 and follow-up pain intensity (p < .001). The results from this study support the importance of educating parents of children having tonsillectomy about distraction in addition to educating them about pain medication management.

Nivel de dolor en pacientes amigdalectomizados / Level of pain in tonsilectomy patients

Obtener datos epidemiológicos de lasamigdalectomías realizadas durante dos años quirúrgicos en el Hospital Nacional de Clínicas. Valorar la incidencia entre la técnica quirúrgica empleada y el gradode dolor postoperatorio. Relacionar la técnica quirúrgica con el dolor postoperatorio y la incorporación de ladieta.Material y método: Se realizó un estudioprospectivo, utilzando el método estadístico, que incluyó a 10 pacientes de ambos sexos, de 14 a 56 años deedad, amigdalectomizados en el Hospital Nacional de Clínicas de Córdoba -Argentina -con técnica de Danielso decolación y utilzación de Ansa, en el periodo comprendido entre marzo del 2010 y abril del 2012.

Get epidemiological data oftonsilectomy surgery performed for two years in theNational Clinical Hospital.Ases whether there is arelationship betwen surgical technique and the degreof postoperative pain. Relate surgical technique with thereturn of the diet.Materials and methods A prospective study wasperformed using the statistical method, which included10 patients of both sexes aged 14 to 56 years old,tonsilectomy in the National Clinical Hospital of Cordoba- Argentina, with Daniels technique, or parietal peritoneumand using Ansa ,in the period betwen March 2010 and April 2012.

Nivel de dolor en pacientes amigdalectomizados / Level of pain in tonsilectomy patients

Obtener datos epidemiológicos de lasamigdalectomías realizadas durante dos años quirúrgicos en el Hospital Nacional de Clínicas. Valorar la incidencia entre la técnica quirúrgica empleada y el gradode dolor postoperatorio. Relacionar la técnica quirúrgica con el dolor postoperatorio y la incorporación de ladieta.Material y método: Se realizó un estudioprospectivo, utilzando el método estadístico, que incluyó a 10 pacientes de ambos sexos, de 14 a 56 años deedad, amigdalectomizados en el Hospital Nacional de Clínicas de Córdoba -Argentina -con técnica de Danielso decolación y utilzación de Ansa, en el periodo comprendido entre marzo del 2010 y abril del 2012.(AU)

Get epidemiological data oftonsilectomy surgery performed for two years in theNational Clinical Hospital.Ases whether there is arelationship betwen surgical technique and the degreof postoperative pain. Relate surgical technique with thereturn of the diet.Materials and methods A prospective study wasperformed using the statistical method, which included10 patients of both sexes aged 14 to 56 years old,tonsilectomy in the National Clinical Hospital of Cordoba- Argentina, with Daniels technique, or parietal peritoneumand using Ansa ,in the period betwen March 2010 and April 2012.(AU)

No clinical advantages of coblation tonsillectomy compared with traditional tonsillectomy.

INTRODUCTION: Tonsillectomy may be performed by several methods. It is continuously being discussed which method is preferable with regard to postoperative haemorrhage, pain, activity and nutrition. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The present study is a prospective non-randomized study of tonsillectomy. It included 198 patients aged 14-40 years who either underwent coblation tonsillectomy or traditional "cold" tonsillectomy after random allocation to different surgeons. A total of 51 patients underwent coblation tonsillectomy and 147 patients underwent traditional tonsillectomy. We tested the hypothesis that there is no difference in postoperative pain experience between the two surgical techniques. The patients were followed for nine days postoperatively. They filled in a questionnaire on postoperative pain score, activity level and food intake. RESULTS: We found no statistically significant difference in pain perception between the two groups and there was no difference in their levels of activity. The intraoperative haemorrhage was significantly reduced in the coblation tonsillectomy group, but there was no difference in postoperative haemorrhage between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The overall results of this study suggest that neither coblation tonsillectomy nor traditional tonsillectomy enjoys an advantage over the other in patients aged 14-40 years. FUNDING: not relevant. TRIAL REGISTRATION: not relevant.

Growth and growth biomarker changes after adenotonsillectomy: systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of adenoidectomy and/or tonsillectomy ("adenotonsillectomy") upon growth and growth biomarkers, in the context of sleep disordered breathing (SDB). SDB in children, primarily due to adenotonsillar hypertrophy, increases the risk of growth failure. DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis. PubMed, ERIC and Cochrane Reviews databases from January 1980 to November 2007 were searched for studies reporting: pre/post-adenotonsillectomy height and weight changes as percentage increased or decreased, raw data, z scores or centiles, or: IGF-1 and/or IGFBP-3 serum-level changes as z scores or raw data. For anthropometrics, the meta-analysis included studies presenting z scores or centiles. SETTING: Observational studies. PATIENTS: Otherwise healthy children, not selected for obesity. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Pre/post-surgery changes in standardised height and weight, and IGF-1 and IGFBP-3. RESULTS: Of 211 citations identified, 20 met systematic review criteria. SDB was an enrolment criterion in 13 of the studies, and one of several enrolment criteria in three. Meta-analysis findings for pre/post-surgery changes were: standardised height: 10 studies, 363 total children, pooled standardised mean differences (SMD) = 0.34 (95% CI 0.20 to 0.47); standardised weight: 11 studies, 390 total children, pooled SMD = 0.57 (95% CI 0.44 to 0.70); IGF-1: 7 studies, 177 total children, pooled SMD = 0.53 (95% CI 0.33 to 0.73); IGFBP-3: 7 studies, 177 total children, pooled SMD = 0.59 (95% CI 0.34 to 0.83). CONCLUSIONS: Standardised height and weight, and IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 increased significantly after adenotonsillectomy. Findings suggest that primary care providers and specialists consider SDB secondary to adenotonsillar hypertrophy when screening, treating and referring children with growth failure.

Coblation tonsillectomy: a prospective, double-blind, randomised, clinical and histopathological comparison with dissection-ligation, monopolar electrocautery and laser tonsillectomies.

INTRODUCTION: Coblation tonsillectomy is a relatively recently introduced surgical technique which attempts to bridge the gap between 'hot' and 'cold' tonsillectomy methods. AIM: To compare coblation tonsillectomy with three commonly used surgical techniques: cold dissection-ligation, monopolar electrocautery and CO2 laser. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective, randomised, double-blinded clinical trial was undertaken of 60 adult patients divided into three equal study groups. Patients in each group were randomly assigned to have one tonsil removed with coblation and the second with one of the other three tonsillectomy techniques. Ten randomly selected tonsils resected by each method were sent for histopathological evaluation. RESULTS: Coblation was significantly faster to perform than laser and produced significantly less intra-operative blood loss than both the dissection-ligation and laser techniques. Subjective visual analogue scale comparisons showed a non-significant pain score difference between coblation and dissection-ligation on most post-operative days. Coblation produced consistently highly significantly (p < 0.001) less pain, compared with electrocautery up to the 12th post-operative day and laser up to the 10th post-operative day. There was no significant difference in tonsillar fossa healing, comparing coblation to both dissection-ligation and laser techniques. Monopolar electrocautery produced significantly slower healing than coblation after 7 post-operative days, with no significant difference after 15 post-operative days. Histopathological evaluation showed that coblation inflicted significantly less thermal tissue injury than either electrocautery (p = 0.001) or laser (p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: In adult patients, coblation tonsillectomy offers some significant advantages in terms of post-operative pain and healing, compared with other tonsillectomy techniques.

Coblation vs electrocautery tonsillectomy: postoperative recovery in adults.

OBJECTIVE: Comparison of coblation and monopolar electrocautery tonsillectomy in terms of postoperative pain and recovery. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective double-blind randomized controlled trial. METHODS: Patients with recurrent tonsillitis requiring tonsillectomy were randomized to 2 groups: coblation or monopolar electrocautery tonsillectomy. Postoperative pain, complications, and days taken to return to work and normal diet were compared and analyzed with the aid of a pain diary, given to the patient. RESULTS: 67 patients were recruited. Patients undergoing coblation tonsillectomy were able to return to normal diet in a shorter space of time following surgery. Patients undergoing coblation tonsillectomy were more likely to recommend the surgery than patients undergoing electrocautery tonsillectomy. No significant differences in the daily visual analog score for pain were seen for both groups of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that coblation tonsillectomy has a faster recovery period and may offer advantages when compared to monopolar electrocautery tonsillectomy.

Postoperative recovery after microdebrider intracapsular or monopolar electrocautery tonsillectomy: a prospective, randomized, single-blinded study.

OBJECTIVE: To prospectively assess the postoperative recovery in patients randomly selected to receive either microdebrider intracapsular tonsillectomy (MT) or monopolar electrocautery tonsillectomy (ET). DESIGN: A prospective, randomized, single-blinded study. SETTING: Tertiary care children's hospital. PATIENTS: A total of 74 patients between the ages of 3 and 7 years undergoing adenotonsillectomy for obstruction were randomly assigned to the MT and ET groups. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Families were blinded to the technique used and given a checklist to fill out daily quantifying pain, activity, diet, and the number of doses of pain medication given over a 10-day period. Other variables assessed included the time of surgery and intraoperative blood loss. RESULTS: The average time of surgery was 16.9 minutes for ET compared with 20.9 minutes for MT (P<.001). The average blood loss was 30 mL for ET compared with 45 mL for MT (P = .01). Resumption of near-normal dietary intake was achieved 1.7 days earlier in patients receiving MT compared with ET (P = .04). There was no significant difference in the number of days taken for the resolution of pain or resumption of normal activity between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: Microdebrider tonsillectomy takes over 4 minutes longer to perform compared with ET and has slightly higher intraoperative blood loss. There appears to be a slight advantage in the resumption of normal dietary intake with MT but no significant difference in the number of days taken for the resolution of pain or resumption of normal activity.

Antibiotics for reduction of posttonsillectomy morbidity: a meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To reconcile conflicting published reports regarding the clinical efficacy of postoperative antibiotics for reduction of posttonsillectomy morbidity. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review (meta-analysis). METHODS: Meta-analysis of seven randomized controlled trials of postoperative oral antibiotics in patients undergoing tonsillectomy or adenotonsillectomy. Postoperative pain and time to return to normal activity and diet were studied as distinct end points using a random effects model with weighted mean difference (RevMan 4.2). Search strategy included electronic searches of PubMed and Cochrane library databases; cross-referencing textbooks, reviews, and original trials; and contacting experts in the field. RESULTS: Subjects treated with antibiotics experienced an earlier return to a normal diet (-1.22 days; 95% confidence interval [CI] = -1.97, -0.48; P = .001) and an earlier return to normal activity (-0.99 days; 95% CI = -1.80, -0.17; P = .02). Evaluation of mean pain visual analogue scores (VAS 0-10) over the first 5 and 7 postoperative days failed to demonstrate any significant effect of antibiotic therapy (VAS difference over 5 days = 0.41; -1.18, 2.00; P = .61) (VAS difference over 7 days = -0.64; -3.46, 2.18; P = .66). Cost analysis suggests routine therapy may be cost-effective but did not include analysis of side effects or resistance resulting from antibiotic usage. CONCLUSION: The results of this systematic meta-analysis suggest that postoperative oral antibiotics do not significantly reduce posttonsillectomy pain but result in an earlier return to normal activity and diet by approximately 1 day. Given the frequency that tonsillectomy is performed, this possible benefit should be weighed against the cost and potential side effects of routine antibiotic therapy.

Pain reduction by fibrin sealant in older children and adult tonsillectomy.

OBJECTIVES: Because tonsillectomy is a painful procedure in adults, this study was performed to see whether the addition of fibrin sealant (Tisseel) to the tonsillar fossa at the completion of tonsillectomy would reduce pain in adults and allow them to return to work sooner. STUDY DESIGN: Forty adult patients over the age of 12 were entered into a prospective randomized study to see whether the addition of fibrin sealant (Tisseel) to the tonsillar fossa at the completion of tonsillectomy for recurrent tonsillitis would reduce the time the patient needed to take narcotic analgesics after surgery. METHODS: Fifteen adults had a traditional complete tonsillectomy by means of a needle point Bovie and served as a control group. Twenty-five (adults had the same procedure with the addition of Tisseel to see how long they required narcotic analgesics postoperatively and when they were able to resume normal activities. RESULTS: The control group took narcotics for an average of 10.3 days, whereas the addition of Tisseel reduced the time to 8.16 days (P = .0058). This significant reduction of time allowed adults to return to work and other activities sooner. CONCLUSION: Because the time required to return to work is often of paramount interest to patients having surgery, Tisseel should be considered a safe addition to older children and adult tonsillectomy in patients who are not allergic to bovine products because it will allow an earlier return to normal activities.

Temperament and pain in 3 to 7-year-old children undergoing tonsillectomy.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships among temperament, self-reported pain, parent's report of children's pain behavior and pain intensity, amount of pain medication received, and parents' attitudes toward use of analgesics in 3- to 7-year-old children undergoing tonsillectomy. Sixty-eight child/parent dyads participated in the study. Correlations were found between some temperamental factors and child's self-reported pain intensity in the hospital and at home as well as parents' report of pain behavior at home. There was a significant positive relationship between the child's self-reported pain intensity and analgesic administration in the hospital and at home.

Recovery following tonsillectomy a comparison between tramadol and morphine for analgesia.

BACKGROUND: The optimal method of intraoperative analgesia for adult tonsillectomy is uncertain. It is important that recovery should be rapid so that the airway is not compromised. Tramadol hydrochloride is an analgesic with mixed -mu and non-opioid activities which has less respiratory depression effects compared to morphine. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We compared the recovery characteristics of patients undergoing tonsillectomy after they were given either morphine or tramadol for intra-operative analgesia. Seventy-nine ASA (American Society of Anesthesiologists) I patients were randomised to receive either tramadol 1.5 mg/kg (n = 44) or morphine 0.1 mg/kg (n = 35). A standard propofol-desflurane based general anaesthetic technique was used. RESULTS: Patients given tramadol recovered faster compared to morphine as demonstrated by the earlier eye opening at reversal (mean +/- SD, 4.7 +/- 1.5 min versus 5.6 +/- 1.8 min, p = 0.04). There was also significantly less nausea and vomiting in the patients given tramadol as compared to those given morphine (6.8% versus 28.6%, p = 0.01). There were no other clinically important adverse effects in either group. CONCLUSION: We conclude that tramadol given for intra-operative analgesia during tonsillectomy results in faster recovery with significantly less nausea and vomiting in the early postoperative period.

Antibioticoterapia profilática pós-tonsilectomia. Estudo com amoxicilina-clavulanato / Prophylactic Antibiotic Therapy After Tonsillectomy. Study with Amoxilin-Clavulanic Acid

Os autores realizaram estudo prospectivo, horizontal, em crianças submetidas a amigdalectomia, divididas em dois grupos: com antibioticoterapia no pós-operatório (amoxicilina-clavulanato); e sem antibioticoterapia no pós-operatório, na observância de dados clínicos ou laboratoriais que possam direcionar conduta mais uniforme neste tipo de situação. Pacientes e métodos: Foram analisadas 58 crianças submetidas a amigdalectomia, divididas randomicamente nos dois grupos pré-estabelecidos , com equivalência de sexo e idade. Estudaram-se parâmetros subjetivos (dor, edema, hiperemia, secreção) e laboratoriais (hemograma e coagulograma), bem como cultura e antibiograma na suspeita de um quadro infeccioso. Resultados: Não foram observadas diferenças significativas nos parâmetros subjetivos, embora na análise laboratorial se observe nítido aumento da série branca nas crianças sem antibioticoterapia. Não houve diferença significativa entre os dois grupos no número de crianças com suspeita ou infeção confirmada no pós-operatório. Conclusões: Não encontramos dados que nos levem a indicar uma antibioticoterapia profilática de rotina, com amoxicilina-clavulanato, em crianças submetidas a amigdalectomia.

The authors carry through prospective study in children submitted to tonsillectomy, with and without antibiotic (Amoxicillin-Clav.) post-surgery, aiming to determine which is the best altitude in this situation. Patients and methods: Tonsillectomy was carried out in 58 children by Sluder technique, in fortuitous forte, with ser and age equivalence. The aim of this study was to compare subjective parameter (pain, edema, hyperemia, secretion) , laboratorial (hemogram and coagulogram.), and culture in infection suspect cases. Results: There was not difference in the subjective parameters, even so in the laboratorial analyze was observed increment in the white series from children without antibiotic. There was not meaningful difference between the two groups about infection or infection suspect in the post-surgery. Conclusion: These findings suggest that, in children, there isn't a real indication of Amoxicillin-Clavulanic acid in post-surgery tonsyllectomy.