title: The impact of adenotonsillectomy on children's quality of life.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Although adenotonsillectomy is one of the most frequently performed surgical procedures in the pediatric population, there is little known about its impact on Health-related Quality of Life (HRQL). The aim of this study was to measure children's HRQL-benefit after adenotonsillectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was carried out as a retrospective postal survey utilising a proxy rating.
  
  
  METHODS
  In total, 447 parents of children who underwent adenotonsillectomy for the indication of chronic tonsillitis were included. 43% (n = 191) of the parents returned completed surveys.
  
  
  METHODS
  To quantify the benefit after pediatric adenotonsillectomy the Glasgow Children's Benefit Inventory (GCBI) was used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean GCBI-total score was 21 +/- 19 (-8 to 77), showing an improvement in all GCBI subscales.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Adenotonsillectomy is a highly effective approach to treat children with tonsil disease. It has a positive impact on children's HRQL and other areas not directly associated with their tonsil disease. Moreover, this improvement in HRQL is durable and not temporary.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Schwentner
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schmutzhard
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schwentner
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Abraham
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Höfer
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Sprinzl
mesh_terms: D000233:Adenoidectomy; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011788:Quality of Life; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014068:Tonsillectomy; D014069:Tonsillitis / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome