Abstract

Tonsillectomy is a commonly performed surgical procedure in pediatric patients for the treatment of recurrent tonsillitis and sleep-disordered breathing.Aim: To assess the impact of tonsillectomy on the QoL of pediatric patients over a one-year follow-up period.Methods: A prospective longitudinal study was conducted on pediatric patients who underwent tonsillectomy at a tertiary care center between January 2022 and December 2022. The study included patients aged 3 to 16 years, who had a documented history of recurrent tonsillitis or sleep-disordered breathing. QoL was assessed preoperatively and at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively using validated pediatric QoL questionnaires, including the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) and the Obstructive Sleep Apnea Questionnaire (OSA-18). Data analysis was performed using appropriate statistical methods.Results: A total of 100 pediatric patients were included in the study. The mean age of the participants was 8.5 years (SD = 2.3), with a slight male predominance (60%). The primary indication for tonsillectomy was recurrent tonsillitis in 80% of cases, while the remaining patients had sleep-disordered breathing as the primary indication.The overall QoL scores significantly improved at all follow-up time points compared to baseline (p < 0.001). The physical, emotional, social, and school functioning domains of the PedsQL questionnaire demonstrated consistent improvements throughout the follow-up period. Similarly, the OSA-18 scores significantly improved, indicating a reduction in sleep-related symptoms and improved sleep quality following tonsillectomy.Conclusion: This longitudinal study provides robust evidence supporting the beneficial effects of tonsillectomy on the QoL of pediatric patients over a one-year follow-up period. These findings can aid clinicians in counseling patients and their families regarding the potential benefits of tonsillectomy in improving overall well-being and quality of life in the pediatric population

Description