Clinical Assessment of Weight Gain in Pediatric Patients Post-Tonsillectomy: A Retrospective Study

Background Tonsillectomy is one of the most commonly performed surgeries among children. It is indicated for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea and chronic throat infections. Although a relatively safe surgery, post-operative complications have been reported in multiple studies. Over the past century, tonsillectomy has played a role in post-operative weight gain. Aim To measure weight gain in pediatric patients post-tonsillectomy. Methods A retrospective study was conducted in the Al-Ahsa region in Saudi Arabia. Overall, 240 children (male, 110 [44.2%]; female, 130 [52.2%]; mean±SD age, 7.45±2.89 years) from tertiary hospitals were included in the study. The height (m(2)) and weight (kg) of the children were measured, and the BMI (body mass index) was calculated preoperatively and one and six months post-operatively. Results There were significant differences observed between the mean weight one-month and six months post-operation (P = 0.0001) and the mean BMI measured at the baseline one month and six months post-operation (P = 0.0001). In addition, a positive linear correlation between the BMI six months post-operation and the weight at the same period (R = 0.375) was noted. Conclusion The findings of this study suggest an increase in weight post-tonsillectomy, mostly six months post-operation. Future studies, however, are warranted to evaluate the risk factors associated with weight gain in children and its relation to tonsillectomy.