Tonsillectomy and weight gain in children: A prospective study

Aim: The aim of this study is to demonstrate the relation between tonsillectomy and weight gain in children, we hypothesize tonsillectomy may cause increase body weight in children. Methods and Materials: It is a comparative prospective study conducted in King Abdul Aziz Specialist Hospital, Taif, Saudia Arabia, between January 2013 and December 2015 between study group (tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy) and control (grommets insertion, adenoidectomy, turbinate reduction, evaluation under anesthesia nasal cavity). Patients were randomly selected, weight before and after the procedure, and reviewed 6-week postoperatively. Incomplete data, failure to follow up, and more than 60-days follow-up were excluded from the study. Results: A total of 96 patients were involved in the study, of whom 14 not fulfilling the criteria, were excluded. test group were 54 (65.8%) (male 44 [81.5%] and 18 females [22.7%]) and control group 28 (34.15%). Minimal and maximum ages were 1.11 and 12.4 years, respectively. The minimum and maximum follow-ups were 16 and 58 days, respectively, an average of 43.8 days. Weight gain calculated (< 0.5 kg, 0.5 – 1 kg, >1 kg) in study group was 14,4%, 24.3%, and 24.3% while the control group 7.6%, 12.7%, and 12.7%, respectively. The total accumulated Weight gain in the test group was 49.6 kg, Whereas in control group 33.4 kg. There was no difference noted between the two, however, both gained weight above the norm. Conclusion: Weight gain post tonsillectomy cannot be proven to be a sequence in children; however, both groups gained weight above the normal, further studies are require to exclude other factors.