Table 1 Variables registered in the NTSR with definitions
Variable | Definition |
|---|---|
Date of birth Date of surgery | |
Indication of surgery | |
Airway obstruction/snoring/hypertrophic tonsils | Tonsils cause breathing disorder during sleep (parent reported) |
Recurrent tonsillitis | At least three episodes of acute tonsillitis during last 12 months |
Peritonsillar abscess | Peritonsillar abscess or peritonsillitis warranting emergency operation, or history of peritonsillar abscesses/peritonsillitis |
Chronic tonsillitis | Prolonged inflammation of the tonsils (at least 3 months) affecting daily activities |
Other | Free field to register other indications |
Surgical Unit | |
Day case surgery | No admission overnight |
Overnight surgery | Prearranged overnight admission |
Type of surgery | |
Primary surgery | No previous tonsil surgery performed |
Revision surgery | Tonsillectomy or tonsillotomy performed previously |
Extent of surgery | |
Tonsillectomy only | Extracapsular removal of tonsils |
Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy | Extracapsular removal of tonsils and removal of adenoid |
Tonsillotomy only | Partial removal of tonsils |
Tonsillotomy and adenoidectomy | Partial removal of tonsils and removal of adenoid |
Surgical technique | |
Cold steel | Procedure performed with cold instruments only, for example knife, scissors or elevator |
Radiofrequency | Radiofrequency energy is used for cutting and coagulation |
Diathermy scissors | Procedure performed with bipolar diathermy scissors, which can simultaneously cut and coagulate |
Ultracision | Procedure performed with instrument, which simultaneously cuts and coagulates using ultrasonic vibration |
Dissection with bipolar diathermy | Tonsils are dissected using bipolar diathermy |
Other | Free field to register other techniques |
Technique for haemostasis | |
Infiltration with local anaesthetic and adrenalin | Haemostasis achieved with adrenaline vasopressor effect |
Monopolar diathermy | Heat coagulation of the vessels using monopolar diathermy |
Bipolar diathermy | Heat coagulation of the vessels using bipolar diathermy |
Ligature | Suture used to stop haemorrhage |
Suture ligature | Suture with needle used to stop haemorrhage |
Radiofrequency | Haemostasis achieved using radiofrequency instruments |
None | Haemostasis achieved with compression only |
Other | Free field to register other techniques |
Primary haemorrhage requiring intervention (Yes/No) | Any haemorrhage requiring intervention and occurring after extubation during initial hospital stay |