The beneficial effects of an adenotonsillectomy upon upper respiratory tract infections, asthma and rhinitis in children: a national database study in Korea

Abstract

Background Adenotonsillectomy is the most commonly performed surgery in children. Aims To evaluate the effects of pediatric adenotonsillectomy on health care utilization. Methods From 2006 to 2017, age/sex-matched adenotonsillectomy participants (n = 243.396) and controls (n = 730.188) were selected (62% of male and 38% of female. 47% age≦ 6, 16% 7–9years, 8% 10–12years, 29% 13–18years). The changes in outpatient visits, hospitalization days, and drug prescriptions due to a URI, asthma, and rhinitis before and after the surgery date (from 13 months to 1 month) were compared. Results Outpatient visits decreased more in the surgery group than the control group (mean change, 3.24 ± 8.61 d and 1.16 ± 6.57 d for URI, 2.07 ± 8.63 d and 0.51 ± 6.47 d for rhinitis, and 0.72 ± 4.81 d and 0.42 ± 3.91 d for asthma, p < .001 for all). Hospitalizations also showed greater decreases in the surgery group (mean change, 0.31 ± 2.96 d and 0.04 ± 1.70 d for URI, 0.13 ± 2.40 d and 0.02 ± 1.48 d for rhinitis, 0.11 ± 2.32 d and 0.04 ± 1.83 d for asthma, p < .001 for all). The prescription of antihistamines, leukotriene modulators, oral antibiotics, oral steroids, and expectorants, cough suppressants and oral bronchodilators was also decreased after surgery. Conclusions The adenotonsillectomy group showed a greater decrease in post-operative outpatients visits, hospital days and drug prescriptions associated with URI, rhinitis and asthma than the control group.