A population-based study of acute care revisits following tonsillectomy

Abstract

Objectives: To describe the clinical spectrum and frequency of acute care revisits after tonsillectomy in a population-based sample from a single state in the US.

Study design: We used California state discharge databases from 2009 to 2011 to retrospectively identify retrospectively routine tonsillectomy discharges in residents <25 years of age and to establish record linkage to revisits within 30 days at ambulatory surgery, inpatient, and emergency department facilities statewide. Percentages and descriptive statistics were sample-weighted, and revisit rates were adjusted for demographic factors, expected payer, chronic conditions, surgical indication, facility type, and clustering.

Results: Records were available for 35 085 index tonsillectomies, most of which were performed at hospital-owned ambulatory and inpatient facilities. There were 4944 associated revisits: 3761 (75.9%) treat-and-release emergency room visits, 816 (17.1%) inpatient admissions, and 367 (7.0%) ambulatory surgery visits. Most revisits (3225 [67.7%]) were unrelated to bleeding; these typically occurred early (mode, day 2) and were commonly associated with diagnosis codes indicating pain, nausea/vomiting, or dehydration. Crude all-cause revisit and readmission rates were 10.5% and 2.1%, respectively. Adjusted all-cause revisit rates (range, 8.6%-24.5%) were lowest in young children, increased in adolescents, and peaked in young adults. Adjusted bleeding-related revisit rates increased abruptly in adolescents and reached 13.9% in males (6.8% in females, P < .001) ages 20-24 years.

Conclusions: Acute care revisits after tonsillectomy performed at predominantly hospital-owned facilities in California are common and strongly age-related. Most revisits are early treat-and-release outpatient encounters, and these are usually associated with potentially preventable problems such as pain, nausea and vomiting, and dehydration.