Impact of an Informational Video on Parental Choice of Tonsillectomy Technique

Introduction: Pediatric tonsillectomy is a common surgical procedure in the United States, with intracapsular tonsillectomy an alternative to the traditional technique. This study examines if providing patients with an informational video affects procedure choice.

Methods: This quality improvement study, conducted in a pediatric otolaryngology clinic, used flyers with a QR code linked to a video on intracapsular vs. traditional tonsillectomy techniques and complications. Starting in July 2024, the flyers were posted in examination rooms, and parents were encouraged to view the video. Data collected for tonsillectomies performed from May 2024 to January 2025 included: clinic visit date, patient age and gender, parent at the visit, indication for tonsillectomy, and procedure chosen.

Results: Of 211 cases, 131 (62%) had clinic visits before flyers were posted and 80 (38%) after. Before the flyers, only 23 (18%) chose intracapsular tonsillectomy, while after, 34 (43%) chose it (p <.001). Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) or sleep disordered breathing (SDB) were the most common surgical indications (N=173, 82%). For OSA/SDB cases, intracapsular tonsillectomy selection rose from 20 (19%) cases before the intervention to 34 (49%) cases after (p <.001). Patient age and gender were not significantly associated with the choice of procedure.

Mothers frequently attended visits alone (N=161, 76%), with their preference for intracapsular tonsillectomy increasing from 18% (N=17) to 45% (N=29) following the intervention (p <.001). Fathers attended visits alone less often (N=19, 10%), with no significant change in their surgical preferences after the intervention.

Conclusions: These findings suggest educational interventions can influence parental preference for tonsillectomy type. Providing accessible information will help parents make more informed decisions, potentially improving surgical outcomes and parent satisfaction.