An optimal choice: home intravenous hydration after tonsillectomy

Most tonsillectomies are performed as outpatient procedures in an ambulatory care facility. The postoperative period can be protracted, which can cause dehydration and readmission to the hospital. Timely intervention with home intravenous (IV) hydration can help prevent this complication. A prospective clinical trial was designed to evaluate the benefit of home IV therapy after tonsillectomy. One hundred consecutive patients underwent tonsillectomy. Fifty returned home without home IV hydration and another 50 returned home with home IV hydration. Clinical data were collected by the homecare nurse during the postoperative period. Comparison between these two groups showed that the patients with home IV hydration had less morbidity. Daily assessment of the patient by telephone is the best screening method to determine the need for IV hydration for the posttonsillectomy patient.