A two-year follow-up observational study of the T-14 paediatric throat disorders outcome measure in tonsillectomy and adenotonsillectomy

Abstract

Introduction The T-14 questionnaire is a validated patient reported outcome measure used to assess the value of paediatric tonsillectomy from the patient’s perspective. There are currently limited data revealing the long-term postoperative effects of tonsillectomy on quality of life in the paediatric population. A previously published study was therefore extended to provide additional data at 12 and 24 months following surgery. Methods A prospective uncontrolled observational study was undertaken examining 54 paediatric patients undergoing tonsillectomy at Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust. Parents of children having surgery were invited to complete a T-14 questionnaire preoperatively as well as at 3, 6 (previously published), 12 and 24 months postoperatively. Results The questionnaire was completed for 50 of the 54 patients preoperatively as well as at 3, 6 and 12 months postoperatively, with 44 being completed at 24 months. The mean difference between the preoperative T-14 scores and the scores at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months following surgery were highly statistically significant (p<0.001). Conclusions This is the first study published in the literature to assess the T-14 questionnaire at 12 and 24 months following paediatric tonsillectomy, providing evidence of the ongoing benefit of patient reported outcome measures. This further confirms the value of tonsillectomy in the paediatric population and demonstrates its ongoing positive effects on quality of life.