Day case tonsillectomy: A 9 year experience in Delta State Nigeria

Abstract

Tonsillectomy has generally been regarded as an in-patient procedure. Presently though, due to rising costs and space constraints, it has increasingly became popular as a day case procedure world-wide. However, careful selection of patients is advised so as to avoid undue risks and possible resulting mortalities. To find out the suitability or otherwise of day case tonsillectomies in a resource poor country, taking note of possible complications arising from the surgeries and also pre-operative management modalities adopted to prevent these. Case notes of 52 Patients who underwent day case tonsillectomies and Adenotonsillectomies over a nine year period were reviewed. Indication for Surgery was recurrent tonsillitis for 11 (25.6) children and Adenotonsillar Hypertrophy for 32 (74.4%) children. The indication for surgery of all the adults was recurrent tonsillitis. Data extracted included age, sex, indication for surgery, procedure used for both Anesthesia and Surgery and complications arising from Surgery. 52 Patients met the criteria for day case surgeries. 43 (82.7) were Children and 9 (17.3%) were Adults. 49 patients (94.3) recovered well except 3 (5.7%) patients who had had complications and had to be admitted overnight afterwards. 1(1.9%) patient represented in the Hospital following earlier discharge for overnight admission. Day case Tonsillectomies/Adenotonsillectomies are relatively safe procedures especially when patients are carefully selected and pre-operative measures to encourage heamostasis instituted. Key words: Day case, costs, tonsillectomies, complications, haemostasis.