Revisit rates following pediatric coblation tonsillectomy

Abstract

ObjectiveTo explore the rate of emergency department (ED) revisits and hospital readmissions following coblation tonsillectomy in children with sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) and/or recurrent tonsillitis. MethodsA total of 2045 children underwent coblation tonsillectomy were recruited in the retrospective study. The number of revisits or readmissions was recorded and the reasons were analyzed. ResultsOverall, 119 (5.8%) had unplanned revisits after surgery. Of those children, 98 (4.8%) had one revisit, 19 (0.92%) had second revisits, and 2 (0.097%) had third revisits. The interval between surgery and first revisit or second revisit was 7.1 ± 5.2 days and 11.3 ± 4.8 days, respectively. The reasons for first revisits were hemorrhage, fever, pain, nausea/vomiting, dehydration. The reasons for second revisits were pain, hemorrhage, fever. Children with younger age (1–3 years old) and more blood loss during surgery had higher rate of first revisit rate. Most revisits were controlled well and only 4 cases of re-surgery was needed. ConclusionsRevisit rate and reason after coblation tonsillectomy in children were similar to other surgical methods. Coblation tonsillectomy is a safe and effective surgery for children.