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Pan‐Scotland tonsillectomy outcomes: A national cross‐sectional study
Author(s) -
Milner Thomas D.,
Hilmi Omar,
Marshall John,
MacKenzie Kenneth
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
clinical otolaryngology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.914
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1749-4486
pISSN - 1749-4478
DOI - 10.1111/coa.13608
Subject(s) - tonsillectomy , medicine , audit , cohort , retrospective cohort study , adenoidectomy , pediatrics , cohort study , cross sectional study , surgery , management , pathology , economics
Abstract Objectives The aim of this study was to assess the current post‐tonsillectomy haemorrhage and return to theatre rates in Scotland. Design National cross‐sectional study. Participants and setting Tonsillectomy outcomes data were collated for all NHS patients undergoing tonsillectomy in Scotland between 1998‐2002 and 2013‐2017. Main outcome measures Using Information Services Division (ISD) Scotland retrospective data, 30‐day re‐admission and 30‐day return to theatre rates allowed an assessment of post‐tonsillectomy haemorrhage rates. Data were validated through comparison with an audit conducted in NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde between 2015 and 2016. Results Tonsillectomy was performed in 27 819 patients between 1998 and 2002, and 23 184 patients between 2013 and 2017. 30‐day re‐admission rates increased considerably between the 1998‐2002 and 2013‐2017 cohorts, from 4.7% to 12.1% in paediatric patients, and 9.8%‐19.9% in adult patients. Similarly, 30‐day “return to theatre rates” increased between the two cohorts, from 1.2% to 1.7% in paediatric patients, and 3.6%‐4.9% in adult patients. Re‐admission and return to theatre rates were similar across Health Boards for both adult and paediatric tonsillectomies in each cohort. Conclusions Current 30‐day re‐admission and return to theatre rates are significantly higher than the majority of reported series to date. The rising rate of tonsillectomy haemorrhage between cohorts is likely to be multifactorial, possibly reflecting an underestimation of previous rates and the changing profile of the tonsillectomy patient. A detailed audit of current practice is needed to investigate these tonsillectomy outcomes, which are similar across all Health Boards in Scotland. Of most significance are the implications for accurate patient consent and non‐elective ENT service provision.