Yan Xin1, Xin Li2, JinDong Du1, Jie Cheng1, ChunYan Yi1, HuaDong Mao1. 1. Department of ENT, Affiliated Renhe Hospital of China, Three Gorges University, Second Clinical Medical College of China, No. 410 Yiling Road, Yi Chang, Hubei, China. 2. Department of ENT, Affiliated Renhe Hospital of China, Three Gorges University, Second Clinical Medical College of China, No. 410 Yiling Road, Yi Chang, Hubei, China. lixin1708@163.com.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Day surgery for tonsillectomy has become more and more popular in China. However, many parents face difficulties to cope up with the pain and side effects after surgery. The present study was aimed to examine the efficacy of telephone follow-up on children's post-discharge recovery after tonsillectomy. METHODS: In this prospective study, the sample consisted of 863 children randomly assigned to receive clinic visit after discharge or 1 to 14 d' telephone follow-up after discharge. During the follow-up, the research nurse or parents assessed each child's status, identified problems, and provided needed follow-up care. Key outcomes were pain intensity, postoperative complication, and unanticipated contact with the health care system. RESULTS: Compared with clinical visit, children in telephone follow-up group presented with less pain in early stage after surgery and better food and drink intake. The prevalence of hemorrhage, nausea, vomiting, fever and dizziness had no difference between the groups. Telephone follow-up also reduced unanticipated healthcare services. CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggested that a follow-up telephone call is a safe and cost-effective method of postoperative management for pediatric patients who have undergone tonsillectomy.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: Day surgery for tonsillectomy has become more and more popular in China. However, many parents face difficulties to cope up with the pain and side effects after surgery. The present study was aimed to examine the efficacy of telephone follow-up on children's post-discharge recovery after tonsillectomy. METHODS: In this prospective study, the sample consisted of 863 children randomly assigned to receive clinic visit after discharge or 1 to 14 d' telephone follow-up after discharge. During the follow-up, the research nurse or parents assessed each child's status, identified problems, and provided needed follow-up care. Key outcomes were pain intensity, postoperative complication, and unanticipated contact with the health care system. RESULTS: Compared with clinical visit, children in telephone follow-up group presented with less pain in early stage after surgery and better food and drink intake. The prevalence of hemorrhage, nausea, vomiting, fever and dizziness had no difference between the groups. Telephone follow-up also reduced unanticipated healthcare services. CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggested that a follow-up telephone call is a safe and cost-effective method of postoperative management for pediatric patients who have undergone tonsillectomy.