Duncan S Postma1, Fain Folsom. 1. University of North Carolina, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA. dpostma@capmed.org
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: We sought to document the safety and efficacy of approaching all pediatric tonsillectomies and/or adenoidectomies (T/A) as outpatient procedures. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: We conducted a 4-year retrospective study of 1419 pediatric patients undergoing T/A at an outpatient center with procedures performed by a single group of surgeons. RESULTS: None of the 593 patients undergoing an adenoidectomy and only 5 (0.6%) of those having a tonsillectomy had significant bleeding postoperatively. There were no readmissions for airway problems. Children younger than age 3 were most likely to have complications and to be held for overnight observations. CONCLUSIONS: Most children can be safely discharged after T/A. The higher incidence of perioperative complications in children who are younger than 3 years of age paralleled their higher rate of overnight observation. SIGNIFICANCE: Children less than 3 years of age require more careful observation, especially after tonsillectomy and more likely will need to be observed overnight than older children.
OBJECTIVE: We sought to document the safety and efficacy of approaching all pediatric tonsillectomies and/or adenoidectomies (T/A) as outpatient procedures. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: We conducted a 4-year retrospective study of 1419 pediatric patients undergoing T/A at an outpatient center with procedures performed by a single group of surgeons. RESULTS: None of the 593 patients undergoing an adenoidectomy and only 5 (0.6%) of those having a tonsillectomy had significant bleeding postoperatively. There were no readmissions for airway problems. Children younger than age 3 were most likely to have complications and to be held for overnight observations. CONCLUSIONS: Most children can be safely discharged after T/A. The higher incidence of perioperative complications in children who are younger than 3 years of age paralleled their higher rate of overnight observation. SIGNIFICANCE: Children less than 3 years of age require more careful observation, especially after tonsillectomy and more likely will need to be observed overnight than older children.
Authors: Nicholas M Dalesio; Douglas H McMichael; James R Benke; Sean Owens; Kathryn A Carson; Deborah A Schwengel; Alan R Schwartz; Stacey L Ishman Journal: Paediatr Anaesth Date: 2015-04-09 Impact factor: 2.556
Authors: Claire M Lawlor; Charles A Riley; John M Carter; Kimsey H Rodriguez Journal: JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg Date: 2018-05-01 Impact factor: 6.223