Weight Changes Immediately following Tonsillectomy

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate weight change in the pediatric population after tonsillectomy and identify associated risk factors for weight loss.

Method: A retrospective medical record review of all patients 12 years of age and younger who underwent tonsillectomy at a tertiary care center from January 2008 to November 2011 was conducted. Patient characteristics, preoperative and postoperative weight, indication for surgery, surgical technique, and perioperative complications were recorded.

Results: In total, 152 patients met inclusion criteria based on complete medical records and postoperative follow-up. Weight was recorded preoperatively (mean of 30 days prior to surgery) and between 2 and 6 weeks postoperatively (mean of 24 days) using the same clinic scale. There was a total of 95 (62.5%) patients with ages ranging from 0 to 5 years (group A) and patients with ages ranging from 57 (37.5%) 6 to 12 years (group B). Regression analysis estimated the mean and distribution for weight change in each age group. At 21 days postoperatively, groups A and B experienced percentage weight changes of 1.7% and −1.2%, respectively (P < .03).

Conclusion: Immediately following tonsillectomy, pediatric patients experience varying degrees of weight loss. This depends primarily upon age but may be mitigated by other factors. Patients age 6 years and above have predicted weight loss in the immediate postoperative setting, while younger children maintain or surpass their preoperative weight by the 21-day interval.