A five-year follow-up observational study of the T-14 paediatric throat disorders outcome measure in tonsillectomy and adenotonsillectomy

The T-14 questionnaire is a validated outcome measurement tool to assess the value of paediatric tonsillectomy from a parent's perspective. There is a paucity of data regarding the long-term postoperative effects of tonsillectomy on quality of life in the paediatric population. Our previous study assessed T-14 scores up to year 2 postoperatively, with this study extending follow-up to 5 years. We undertook a prospective uncontrolled observational study examining 54 paediatric patients undergoing tonsillectomy at Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust. Parents of children undergoing surgery were invited to complete a T-14 questionnaire preoperatively, as well as at 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years and now 5 years postoperatively. In total, 44 of 54 patients completed questionnaires preoperatively and at all postoperative time points, with 46 being completed at 5 years. There was a highly significant (P < 0.001) difference between the preoperative scores and all other measured T-14 scores postoperatively. The mean score preoperatively was 33.3 compared with 1.0 at 5 years. This is the first study to assess long-term quality of life following paediatric tonsillectomy using the T-14 questionnaire. The benefits of tonsillectomy on long-term quality of life further confirms its value within the paediatric population.