TY - JOUR
T1 - Pain and bleeding are the main determinants of unscheduled contacts after outpatient tonsillectomy
AU - Ovesen, Therese
AU - Kamarauskas, Gintaras
AU - Dahl, Mads
AU - Mainz, Jan
PY - 2012
Y1 - 2012
N2 - INTRODUCTION: The objective of this prospective cohort study was to measure the medical technical quality of outpatient tonsillectomy in Danish ear, nose & throat practices by indicators, standards and prognostic factors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: According to standardised and validated specific questionnaires, quality of surgery was measured in terms of postoperative bleeding, pain, gastrointestinal problems and infection. RESULTS: A total of 614 patients were included. 11% were younger than four years, and 93% were observed for less than four hours. A total of 23% had unscheduled postoperative contacts. Almost 12% of the patients contacted a physician due to pain; a percentage that exceeds the chosen standard of 10%. 4% were hospitalised due to bleeding exceeding the chosen standard of 1%. Secondary haemostatic procedures were performed in 2% of the patients. The indication chronic tonsillitis, being an adult, and a postoperative observation shorter than four hours increased the risk of unscheduled contacts. CONCLUSION: Outpatient tonsillectomy seems safe in Denmark. A minimum postoperative observation period of four hours will reduce the need for postoperative contacts. Because of the potentially life-threatening risk related to tonsillectomy, careful patient selection is mandatory and continuous monitoring of the quality of the procedure is essential. FUNDING: not relevant. TRIAL REGISTRATION: not relevant.
AB - INTRODUCTION: The objective of this prospective cohort study was to measure the medical technical quality of outpatient tonsillectomy in Danish ear, nose & throat practices by indicators, standards and prognostic factors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: According to standardised and validated specific questionnaires, quality of surgery was measured in terms of postoperative bleeding, pain, gastrointestinal problems and infection. RESULTS: A total of 614 patients were included. 11% were younger than four years, and 93% were observed for less than four hours. A total of 23% had unscheduled postoperative contacts. Almost 12% of the patients contacted a physician due to pain; a percentage that exceeds the chosen standard of 10%. 4% were hospitalised due to bleeding exceeding the chosen standard of 1%. Secondary haemostatic procedures were performed in 2% of the patients. The indication chronic tonsillitis, being an adult, and a postoperative observation shorter than four hours increased the risk of unscheduled contacts. CONCLUSION: Outpatient tonsillectomy seems safe in Denmark. A minimum postoperative observation period of four hours will reduce the need for postoperative contacts. Because of the potentially life-threatening risk related to tonsillectomy, careful patient selection is mandatory and continuous monitoring of the quality of the procedure is essential. FUNDING: not relevant. TRIAL REGISTRATION: not relevant.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84873101344&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 22293052
AN - SCOPUS:84873101344
SN - 2245-1919
VL - 59
JO - Danish Medical Journal
JF - Danish Medical Journal
IS - 2
ER -