Post-operative Outcomes of Tonsillectomy With Lateral Pharyngoplasty Versus Tonsillectomy Alone in Children: a Randomized Controlled Trial

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating whether adding lateral pharyngoplasty to tonsillectomy provides better outcomes for children aged 3 to 17 years undergoing tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy. The study aims to find out if this combined procedure leads to less pain, improved eating and drinking after surgery, and a lower risk of bleeding complications compared to tonsillectomy alone. This randomized controlled trial seeks to establish lateral pharyngoplasty with tonsillectomy as a standard care option if benefits are confirmed. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: one group will have extracapsular tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy, while the other group will receive the same surgery plus lateral pharyngoplasty. The lateral pharyngoplasty involves placing two figure-of-8 sutures using 3-0 vicryl to bring together the anterior and posterior tonsillar pillars, reconstructing the mucosal covering of the lateral pharyngeal walls. The surgery and procedures will be performed under medical supervision as part of the trial. During the study, parents will help track their child's pain levels, use of pain medications, daily oral intake amounts, and any complications after surgery. Researchers will monitor participants from immediately after surgery through six weeks post-operation, focusing on pain levels, bleeding incidents that require or do not require surgical intervention, and the time it takes for the child to resume normal eating and drinking. This monitoring helps assess the safety and recovery experience between the two surgical approaches.

Lateral Pharyngoplasty Outcomes in Children Undergoing Tonsillectomy