Revisiting age‐related admission following tonsillectomy in the pediatric population

Objectives/Hypothesis The objectives of this study were to examine patient outcomes using a 36‐month age cutoff as a strict admission criterion following tonsillectomy, and review the safety and determine the plausibility of same‐day discharge of children under 3 years old following tonsillectomy. Study Design Retrospective chart review. Methods A chart review of patients aged 24 to 42 months undergoing tonsillectomy over a 3‐year period was conducted. Patients were stratified into <36 months and ≥ 36 months cohorts. Data collected included demographics, medical/sleep history, inpatient records, 30‐day emergency department visits, and readmission data. Bivariate comparisons were made using χ 2 and Wilcoxon tests for categorical and continuous variables. Results Between July 2014 and July 2017, 427 patients aged 24 to 42 months underwent tonsillectomy at our institution. Thirty‐day emergency department visit, readmission, and greater‐than‐expected length of stay rates were 3.0% versus 3.7% ( P = .75), 1.0 versus 1.8% ( P = .61), and 4.7% versus 4.5% ( P = 1.00) between the younger and older cohorts, respectively, with no difference in complication rates identified based on age. Conclusions No significant difference in adverse outcomes was appreciated based on a cutoff of 36 months of age at a tertiary center over 3 years. There should continue to be ongoing studies addressing strict age‐related admission criteria. Level of Evidence 4 Laryngoscope , 129:E389–E394, 2019