Improvements in quality of life in children after surgical therapy for sinonasal disease

Objectives: To study changes in quality of life in children with chronic sinonasal disease after surgical therapy. Study design and setting: Prospective, nonrandomized quality of life study of children with sinonasal disease who undergo adenoidectomy or functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) at an academic institution. Caregivers completed a preoperative SN-5 quality of life survey and a second survey within 6 months after surgery. Results: Twenty-two children were enrolled in the study (mean, 6.5 years; range, 1.4 to 15.9). The majority (59%) of children underwent adenoidectomy. The mean total score was 25.8 at initial presentation and 12.0 at follow-up (P > 0.001). Postoperative scores for all domains were significantly different from preoperative scores. The domains with the greatest change in mean score were nasal obstruction and emotional distress. There were no significant differences in outcome between children who underwent adenoidectomy and those who underwent FESS. Conclusions: After either adenoidectomy or FESS, caregivers report a dramatic improvement in the quality of life of children with sinonasal disease. EBM rating: B-3b.