Nwogbo AC* and OB da Lilly-Tariaii
Background: Adenotonsillectomy is a common surgical procedure with various indications. Despite obvious indications surrounding the procedure, some parents, clinicians sometimes suggest a watch and see approach. Others will go for immediate surgery as soon as indication is observed. Thereby creating variability as when to perform procedure.
Aim: The study is therefore set to evaluate the outcome of adenotonsillectomy in children. Advantages/ disadvantages of early and late surgery.
Patients and Methods: This is a prospective study of 120 children who had adenotonsillectomy between Jan 2009-Jan 201 1 in Otolaryngology Department of University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital and Braithwait Memorial Specialist Hospital, all in Port Harcourt. Age, Sex, indication, presenting symptom and duration of symptom as well as postoperative complications were recorded and analyzed in tables. Above information were recorded in their various folders, during operative and postoperative period.
Result: Patients recruited in the study were in the age range of 1-16 yrs. 50 (60%) males and 70(84%) females. Male/female ratio of 1:1.4 Age group l-4yrs had greater number of patient that had surgery. Complications were observed more in the older children who had surgery, especially in age group greater than 5 years.
Conclusion: Children in the younger age group, below Age 4 tolerated procedure better than those in the older age group. Few complications were also observed in the younger age group. It is obvious that surgery is belter performed as early as symptoms become obvious.
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