Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy in Pediatric Patients: A Current Experience

Abstract

Objective: To review experiences with tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy in pediatric patients.
Methods: Retrospective chart study was done in pediatric patients who underwent tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy under supervision of the authors from August 1999 to March 2005 at the Department of Otolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University.
Results: One hundred and twenty-three charts were retrieved from the total number of 129 pediatric patients who were operated during the study period. Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) was the most common indication for surgery (86%). Seventy percent of patients were between three to eight years old. Obesity was the most common co-morbidity (17.9%) followed by otitis media with effusion (13.8%) and allergic rhinitis (8.1%). Six patients (4.9%) had minor complications which were two cases (1.6%) of postoperative bleeding, three cases (2.4%) of loosening deciduous teeth, and one case (0.8%) of lip ulceration. Postoperative fever and inadequate oral intake prolonged hospitalization in twenty patients (16.3%). However, all patients improved and discharged within 48 hours postoperatively. All parents were satisfied with the final results of the procedures.
Conclusion: Tonsillectotmy and adenoidectomy were safe, effective procedures in pediatric patients. The most common indication was OSAS. Obesity was the most common co-morbidity found in the patients with OSAS. Complications were rare, easily detected and treated.