Impact of Oral Steroids on Tonsillectomy Postoperative Complications and Pain.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the impact of steroids on postoperative tonsillectomy recovery and implement findings for improvement in postoperative management. METHODS: Institutional review board approved prospective study with retrospective analysis of private practice setting tonsillectomy patients (November 2015 to January 2017). A questionnaire was provided postoperatively to patients undergoing tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy. The study population was separated into 2 groups: patients who received steroids (3 days of either dexamethasone or prednisolone), postoperative steroid (POS), versus patients who did not receive steroids (PONS). RESULTS: The questionnaire had a return rate of 27.3% (254/931). Nine of the 254 responses were disqualified for lack of information; therefore, the total number of responses was 245. Of these, 115 were POS and 130 were PONS. The groups were similar in mean age (POS: 13.2 ± 10.4 years, PONS: 14.7 ± 12.1 years, P = .32) and sex (POS: Male 40.0%, PONS: Male 40.0%, P = .97). There was an overall decrease of pain and nausea/vomiting (N/V) in the steroid group (P = .0007). There was reduction in pain (P < .05) from postoperative day (POD) 2, 3, 4, and 6 in the POS group. Otherwise, there was no significant reduction in pain from POD 7 to 14, day-by-day rate of N/V, bleeding, or rate of emergency department (ED) or clinic visit (P > .05). CONCLUSION: Postoperative steroid reduced overall pain and N/V, as well as daily pain on POD 2, 3, 4, and 6. Pain from POD 7 to 14, rate of ED or clinic visit, or daily N/V and bleeding rate were not significantly different between cohorts.

Influence of Behavior on Complications of Osseointegrated Bone Conduction Devices in Children.

OBJECTIVE: Compare incidences of complications following implantation of osseointegrated bone conduction devices (OBCD) between children with and without behavioral disorders. STUDY DESIGN: Case series with chart review. SETTING: Tertiary referral center otology and neurotology practice. PATIENTS: Pediatric patients who underwent implantation of OBCD between May 2009 and July 2014 at Arkansas Children's Hospital. INTERVENTIONS: Implantation with Cochlear BAHA 200 series, Cochlear BAHA BI300, or Oticon OBCD. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Osseointegration failure (OIF) with resulting loss of flange-fixture and/or skin and soft tissue reactions. RESULTS: The total rate of complications was 66.2%, with the majority being minor complications (39.4%). There was no difference in the total rate of complication (p = 0.461), minor complications (p = 0.443), major complications (p = 0.777), and minor and major complications (p = 0.762) between the control group and children with behavioral disorders. CONCLUSION: Behavior was not observed to influence the incidence of OIF or skin/soft tissue reactions after implantation of OBCD in pediatric patients.