Parents' Perception on Post-tonsillectomy Hemorrhage: A Local Survey

TL;DR

This study explores how parents perceive post-tonsillectomy bleeding and highlights gaps in healthcare staff communication and parental education.

Contribution

The study provides new insights into parental perceptions and the frequency of post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage in children.

Findings

5.5% of children experienced post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage, with most cases occurring after 24 hours.

Parents reported inadequate education about complications and the role of healthcare staff.

Common post-surgical complications included headaches, nausea, and mouth swelling.

Abstract

Introduction: Tonsillectomy (often combined with adenoidectomy) is one of the oldest and most common surgical procedures performed in otolaryngology. Post-operative complications following tonsillectomy are generally rare and include post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage, dehydration, velopharyngeal insufficiency, and others. Parents play a crucial role in the care and recovery of their children after tonsillectomy. Their perception and understanding of post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage are essential in managing and addressing this potential complication.

Aim: The purpose of this study is to assess parents' perception of post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage and factors that would lead to its development.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted targeting parents of children who had undergone surgical tonsillectomy. Data were collected using a pre-structured online questionnaire, biographical data, tonsillectomy data, child medical and drug history, healthcare staff role, and post-surgical complications and bleeding.

Results: A total of 847 parents completed the study questionnaire, and 431 (50.9%) were fathers. As for education, 164 (19.4%) had a university level of education, and 279 (32.9%) had a post-graduate degree. As for child gender, 445 (52.5%) were males, 232 (27.4%) had undergone the surgery in the first five years of their age, 208 (24.6%) at the age of 6-10 years, and 221 (26.1%) undergone the surgery at the age of 16-18 years. The most reported post-surgical complications included headaches and nausea (52.4%), swelling of the roof of the mouth (51.8%), and infection (48.9%). Primary or secondary post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage was reported among 47 (5.5%) of the children, which was during surgery among 12 (25.5%), within 24 hours after surgery among 14 (29.8%), and after 24 hours of surgery among 21 (44.7%).

Conclusion: The current study revealed a high rate of tonsillectomy-associated bleeding with a shortage regarding the role of healthcare staff in child pre-surgical assessment and also in parents' education regarding expected complications.

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