Objectives: This article reports on a prospective controlled study that challenges the aspect of weight gain in post-tonsillectomy patients in both an objective and subjective manner. This study found that although there is increased oral intake in post-tonsillectomy patients there is also an increase in physical activity.
Design: Prospective case controlled study
Participants: A total of 100 patients between the ages of 2 and 14 years who underwent tonsillectomy were randomly selected, but 53 of them came for regular follow-up and were monitored for their growth by measuring their height and weight for 1-year post- tonsillectomy. The postoperative body mass index (BMI) Z score variation over three different time points was compared to controls. Questionnaires were used as a subjective method for analysis.
Results: Statistical analysis failed to show significant weight gain in post-tonsillectomy patients compared to control group at 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year. Results of questionnaires were analyzed and showed that patients who confirmed an increase in oral intake and sleep also confirmed an increase in the level of physical activity.