Closure Method Study Following Tonsillectomy in Children

This is a children's study evaluating the effects of a tonsillectomy with tonsillar fossae closure compared to without closure of the operative wound.

This is a children's study. Patients experience significant postoperative pain, activity limitation and sometimes other significant postoperative complications. We are going to compare the effects of closing the tonsil wound versus non-closure. A daily journal will be kept (by the patient's parent or legal guardian)to log in measures of morbidity. Postoperative telephone calls will be made and scripted questions will be asked regarding any tonsillar hemorrhage requiring medical re-evaluation, and dehydration requiring medical re-evaluation. The patients will also be examined in the clinic at 10-14 days postoperatively to determine if the fossa remained closed or dehisced.

• Tonsillectomy
• Children

• Procedure: Closure of the Tonsillar Fossa
  We hypothesize that closure of the tonsillar fossa decreases the morbidity of pain by decreasing exposure of the raw operative bed to oral secretions, mediation, and oral intake, and decreases the morbidity of post-operative hemorrhage by having the operative wound closed.
• Procedure: Tonsillectomy with open fossa
  SOP for a tonsillectomy.

• Active Comparator: 1
  Patients will receive closure of the tonsillar fossae following tonsillectomy.
  Intervention: Procedure: Closure of the Tonsillar Fossa
• Active Comparator: 2
  Patients will not receive closure to one or both tonsillar fossa following a tonsillectomy
  Intervention: Procedure: Tonsillectomy with open fossa

Inclusion Criteria:

• Normal children between that ages of five to ten requiring a tonsillectomy

Exclusion Criteria:

• Children older than ten years of age.
• Those children with identified syndromes, cleft palates and velopharyngeal insufficiency will not be eligible.