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What the blogosphere has to say about adult tonsillectomy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 June 2021

L M O'Byrne ,
M Salem  and
J E Fenton
L M O'Byrne
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Graduate Entry Medical School, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
M Salem
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Graduate Entry Medical School, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
J E Fenton*
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Graduate Entry Medical School, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
*
Author for correspondence: Professor John E Fenton, Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Graduate Entry Medical School, University of Limerick, LimerickV94 T9PX, Ireland E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Objectives

Tonsillectomy has generated extensive comment on the internet, but this content has not been examined in a scientific manner. This study aimed to determine what the blogosphere has to say about adult tonsillectomy and to report whether this information can be used to improve post-surgical care.

Methods

The internet was searched to find personal blogs relating to tonsillectomy. A retrospective review of data collected on these blogs was carried out and the blogs were conceptually analysed by the authors.

Results

Fifty blogs were included. Seventy per cent of patients had read blogs prior to their procedure. The average pain score where available was 7.2. Complications occurred in 10 per cent of patients. Only 1 patient (2 per cent) regretted having a tonsillectomy.

Conclusion

It is important for otolaryngologists to stay in tune with the blogosphere as this unregulated and easily accessible source of information is both friend and foe but will ultimately help in pre-operative counselling and post-operative management.

Keywords

TonsillectomyBloggingPatient SatisfactionOtolaryngology
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 135 , Issue 7 , July 2021 , pp. 634 - 639
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press

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Footnotes

Prof J E Fenton takes responsibility for the integrity of the content of the paper

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