Complication rates for paediatric tonsillectomy based on Scottish national data 2000-2018

The impact of intranasal corticosteroids in a prospective cohort of children with sleep disordered breathing

INTRODUCTION

Sleep disordered breathing (SDB) is common in children and the most common reason for adenotonsillectomy. This large observational cohort study from a specialist outpatient clinic describes the impact of intranasal steroids (INS) on symptom improvement and the need for surgery.

METHOD

Observational cohort study of 568 children assessing the impact of INS using the OSA-5 questionnaire with clinical and surgical outcome measures.

RESULTS

The mean OSA-5 score at first visit was 7.78. Symptoms were persistent for a median 9 months (range 2-72). 51% underwent a trial of INS with 56% reporting symptomatic improvement. The mean score decreased from 8.2 to 5.5 (p < 0.0001) in those prescribed INS. They had a significantly higher symptom load (p < 0.01), turbinate size (p < 0.005) and history of atopy (p < 0.01) than the non-trial group. The rate of surgery in the non-trial group was 56% compared with 38% in those who had INS (p < 0.001). With increasing symptom burden, the reported improvement with INS and comparative reduction in surgery increased. Baseline OSA-5 scores were predictive of rates of surgery. Atopic status or age did not influence response to INS.

CONCLUSION

The mean score at first visit and the median duration of symptoms indicated significant persistent symptoms in this cohort. The use of INS improved symptoms of SDB in 56%. The need for surgery in the group that received INS was 38% compared with 56% in those not trialling INS, despite the non-trial group having significantly less symptoms and signs. Symptomatic improvement was not influenced by age or atopic status.

BiZact™ tonsillectomy: Predictive factors for post-tonsillectomy haemorrhage from a 1717 case series

OBJECTIVE

To determine primary and secondary post-tonsillectomy haemorrhage (PTH) rates and identify predictive factors in a cohort of consecutive adult and paediatric BiZact™ tonsillectomy cases.

SETTING

Retrospective cohort study. Patients from Flinders Medical Centre, Noarlunga Hospital and private otolaryngology practices who underwent BiZact™ tonsillectomy from 2017 to 2020.

DATA COLLECTED

patient age, indication for tonsillectomy, surgeon experience, time and severity of PTH, including return to theatre. Each secondary PTH was graded using the Stammberger classification. Logistic regression was utilised to identify predictors of secondary PTH.

RESULTS

One thousand seven hundred and seventeen patient medical records were assessed (658 adults and 1059 children). The primary PTH rate was 0.1%, and secondary PTH rate was 5.9%. The majority of secondary PTH cases were Stammberger grade A (80/102, 78.4%) requiring observation only. Few secondary PTH required medical intervention (grade B; 9/102, 8.8%), return to theatre (grade C; 12/102, 11.8%), or blood transfusion (grade D; 1/102, 1.0%), with no death reported (grade E; 0/102, 0.0%). Recurrent secondary PTH occurred in 8 patients (0.5%). Predictive factors of secondary PTH in children were surgeon experience with trainees having greater chance of PTH (OR 2.502, 95% CI 1.345-4.654; p = .004) and age of child (OR 1.095, 95% CI 1.025-1.170; p = .007). Surgeon experience was a predictive factor for adults (OR 3.804, 95% CI 2.139-6.674; p < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

BiZact™ tonsillectomy has a low primary PTH rate, with a secondary PTH rate comparable to other 'hot tonsillectomy' techniques. The majority of PTH events were minor and self-reported. There appears to be a learning curve for trainee surgeons.