Anticipated absence from work ('sick leave') following routine ENT surgery: are we giving the correct advice? A postal questionnaire survey.

In the UK patients who undergo common ear, nose and throat (ENT) operations, and are employed, are advised to take 2 weeks sick leave before returning to their employment. A retrospective postal questionnaire survey (of adult patients who had undergone four common specific ENT operations) was conducted, to validate whether this preoperative advice given, was appropriate, and to attempt to assess the patient factors, which influenced the amount of postoperative absence from work. Among 218 questionnaires sent, 156 (71.6%) responses were returned and 132 (60.6%) were used. Analysis of the data for absence from work, showed that 58.3% had taken <or= 2 weeks and 41.7% had taken > 2 weeks. The majority of patients (70.5%) stated that 2 weeks absence following their surgery was appropriate, whereas 5.3% reported that the period was excessive and 24.2% felt that it was inadequate. Postoperative pain (30.3%), infection (30.3%), bleeding (7.6%) and other causes (15.2%) were reported as the reasons for the delay to return to work. Nearly 31% of men and 55% of women had taken > 2 weeks of sick leave. In conclusion, the current practice of advising employed adults to take 2 weeks time off work following routine ENT surgery is appropriate. However, nearly 42% had taken > 2 weeks to return to their employment. Patients who underwent tonsillectomy and laser palatoplasty in general, required more time to recuperate prior to returning to work, when compared to those who had undergone septoplasty and functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). Postoperative pain and infection were reported to be the main reasons for the delay in returning to work. Men, and self-employed patients returned to work earlier than women and other employed groups.