The role of information and instruction to children and parents in homemanagement after tonsil surgery - what is it helpful for them to know?

OBJECTIVESTo create national recommendations for information after tonsil surgery to improve the management ofchildren.METHODS1. A search of Medline addressing evidence on expectations and advice about medication and nonpharamacological techniques to relieve pain after tonsil surgery and 2. A questionnaire focusing on the routines for information before and after tonsil surgery was administrated to all ENT-clinics in Sweden with 99% response rate.RESULTSThere is evidence that information has an empowering effect upon parents to feel more control over their child’s care. Lack of information leads to anxiety and increased perception of pain in the child. Children and parents who were given specific information related to pain and morbidity, reported less pain and were less anxious than those with no or insufficient information. Constructive information should be given gradually, starting preoperatively, to parents and children. A leaflet should contain sufficient information about what happens before, during and is to be expected after surgery, the risks and possible complications, and advice and recommendation of medication and non-pharmacological techniques. Results from the national enquiry (N=48) showed the provision of a variety of different written information from the various clinics, often insufficient. Based on these findings, an information leaflet for patients and a checklist based on the literature for the staff to use at discharge were developed (both will be available).CONCLUSIONSA checklist for the staff insures that parents and children get consistent advice. A leaflet provided before surgery helps children and parents with methods to relieve pain. This could decrease the number of complications and later consultations and give shorter recovery.