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. 2020 Dec:139:110463.
doi: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2020.110463. Epub 2020 Oct 23.

Recurrent tonsillitis and parental perceptions of tonsillectomy during the COVID-19 pandemic

Elliot Heward  1 , John Rocke  2 , Nirmal Kumar  2 , Steve Izzat  2
Affiliations

Recurrent tonsillitis and parental perceptions of tonsillectomy during the COVID-19 pandemic

Elliot Heward et al. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2020 Dec.

Abstract

Objectives: The coronavirus outbreak has triggered the implementation of nationwide social distancing measures. We aimed to investigate the impact on patients with recurrent tonsillitis and parental perceptions towards tonsillectomy during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: A telephone questionnaire was conducted for all children awaiting tonsillectomy for recurrent tonsillitis after social distancing for 2 months at our centre. The COVID-19 lockdown period was compared with the 2 months prior to lockdown.

Results: Forty-four children had been social distancing at home during lockdown. There was a significant reduction in tonsillitis episodes during the 2-month lockdown period in comparison with 2 months prior to lockdown (p = 0.0001). In 70% (n = 31) of cases parents wanted their child's tonsillectomy during the coronavirus outbreak.

Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that viral exposure is a key factor in the pathophysiology of recurrent tonsillitis and that social distancing measures can reduce the frequency of recurrent tonsillitis. Despite the overall reduction in tonsillitis frequency during the lockdown period, the majority of parents wanted their child's tonsillectomy during the coronavirus outbreak. This demonstrates the impact tonsillitis has on the patient and their family's quality of life.

Keywords: Otolaryngology; Quality of life; SARS-CoV; Tonsillitis.

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Conflict of interest statement

None.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Indication for tonsillectomy (RAT; Recurrent Acute Tonsillitis).
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Mean number of tonsillitis episodes during the 2 months preceding lockdown versus 2 months during lockdown (Error bars: SEM 0.17).
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Parental choice of operation date.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Difference in parental attitudes to operative date based on frequency of tonsillitis in the 2 months prior to lockdown and 2 months during lockdown.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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