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Post-tonsillectomy advice: the UK patient experience

Part of: JLO Editors' Choice Papers 2022

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 January 2022

M Gabrawi Open the ORCID record for M Gabrawi [Opens in a new window] ,
A Haymes  and
J Davis
M Gabrawi*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Medway Maritime NHS Foundation Trust, Gillingham, Kent, UK
A Haymes
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Medway Maritime NHS Foundation Trust, Gillingham, Kent, UK
J Davis
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Medway Maritime NHS Foundation Trust, Gillingham, Kent, UK
*
Author for correspondence: Dr M Gabrawi, Department of Otolaryngology, Medway Maritime NHS Foundation Trust, GillinghamME7 5NY, UK E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Objective

Tonsillectomy is a common surgical procedure in the UK. This study critically examined the current advice provided by UK hospitals to patients about post-operative care.

Method

Post-tonsillectomy patient advice sheets were obtained from 110 UK National Health Service trusts and equivalent organisations. Their contents were analysed and compared with published literature to determine whether the advice being given to patients was evidence-based.

Results

Post-tonsillectomy dietary and fluid intake advice varied between hospitals; although many recommended eating and drinking a normal diet (88 per cent), some recommended eating ‘hard’ (26 per cent) or ‘soft’ (8 per cent) foods. Non-evidence based advice given included avoiding fizzy drinks (21 per cent), fruit juices (9 per cent) and using chewing gum (51 per cent). Reported post-operative risks and safety-netting also varied.

Conclusion

Much of the advice in the available printed information appeared to be anecdotal and not based on, or was contrary to, published evidence. After review of the literature, an evidence-based post-tonsillectomy patient advice sheet was generated for dissemination.

Keywords

TonsillectomyDietPostoperative CarePostoperative ComplicationsPostoperative Hemorrhage
Type
Main Article
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 136 , Issue 12 , December 2022 , pp. 1217 - 1225
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2022. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of J.L.O. (1984) LIMITED

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Footnotes

Dr M Gabrawi takes responsibility for the integrity of the content of the paper

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