Day-case tonsillectomy for children in Glasgow: the impact of changing indications and deprivation

Abstract

To determine the number of children undergoing tonsillectomy that could have this performed as a day surgery procedure. This paper reports a prospective cohort study, which entailed a comparison of children's eligibility for day-case surgery between 2001 and 2011 and an assessment of the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation scores. In total, 148 children were enrolled. In 2011, 60 children (42 per cent) were eligible for surgery with same day discharge compared with 27 per cent in 2001. The percentage of children undergoing tonsillectomy for sleep-related breathing disorders or obstructive sleep apnoea hypopnoea syndrome increased from 26 per cent to 55 per cent. Eligibility for tonsillectomy with same day discharge has increased. This appears to be related to an increase in the number of children who are able to fulfil the social criteria for same day discharge. The results indicate an association between deprivation and tonsillectomy, particularly surgery carried out for the symptoms of sleep-related breathing disorders or obstructive sleep apnoea hypopnoea syndrome. There has been a significant increase in the percentage of children undergoing tonsillectomy for the indication of sleep-related breathing disorders or obstructive sleep apnoea hypopnoea syndrome.