A questionnaire method was carried out in patients who underwent tonsillectomy to evaluate their postoperative courses.
The subjects consisted of 220 patients who underwent tonsillectomy at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology of Teikyo University Mizonokuchi Hospital in 1984 and 1985. Twenty-seven items including respiration disorders, infection signs, and eating habits were surveyed and replies were chosen among alternatives. Information was obtained from 58% of the subjects with a highest percentage of those between 6 and 10 years of age. As to respiratory disturbances, snoring improved in 75.8% of the subjects, mouth breathing in 54.4%, difficulty in breathing in 50%, and sleep apnea in 55%. With respect to signs of infection, susceptibility to a cold improved in 71.3% of the subjects, that to pharyngitis in 88%, and that to fever in 88%. As to eating disturbances, dysphagia improved in 48.1% of the subjects, the speed of eating in 21.8%, the amount of food consumption in 41.1%, and appetite in 41.7%. The ability to concentrate, patience, and character improved in about 25% and nasal symptoms in 52.4%. Surgery was considered to have benefited 95.2% of the subjects.
These replies showed good late results of tonsillectomy performed at our department. When the decision of surgery is made, comprehensive evaluation of clinical signs including respiratory and swallowing disturbances besides infection signs appears to be important.
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