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This article has been withdrawn as it was published elsewhere and accidentally duplicated. The original article can be seen here: 10.1108/14664109910306785. When citing the article, please cite: Haytham Kubba, Ralph Messersmith, (1999), “Is day case tonsillectomy suitable for children in Cumbria?”, British Journal of Clinical Governance, Vol. 4 Iss: 2, pp. 56 - 6.

This article has been withdrawn as it was published elsewhere and accidentally duplicated. The original article can be seen here: 10.1108/14664100010343908. When citing the article, please cite: Haytham Kubba, (2000), “An evidence-based patient information leaflet about otitis media with effusion”, British Journal of Clinical Governance, Vol. 5 Iss 2 pp. 93 - 99.

Leaflets are a useful resource for information provision. Many otolaryngology patients have poor reading skills, and may have difficulty understanding medical jargon. The aim of this project was to produce a patient information leaflet on otitis media with effusion whose content is based on the best available research evidence, and which is presented in a clear format with simple language. Patients were involved at the planning stage, and in testing the final draft. The leaflet was preferred by the majority compared to existing information material and was felt to be more informative and easier to understand. The leaflet has been given the Crystal Mark for clarity of language by the Plain English Campaign. This study shows that existing guidelines can be used to improve the quality of written information provision.

Day case tonsillectomy has been advocated as a means of reducing health care costs associated with inpatient care. The authors studied 74 consecutive children undergoing conventional overnight stay tonsillectomy using a parental questionnaire and a retrospective case note review. Medical exclusion criteria for day surgery were present in 21 per cent, and social exclusion criteria in 82 per cent. Overall, only 16 per cent of children satisfied all the criteria for suitability. On the day of surgery, 29 per cent of children were reported as having poorly controlled pain and 31 per cent as having nausea and vomiting, such that unplanned admission would have been likely had they been done as day cases. In total 63 per cent of parents were unhappy or very unhappy with the possibility of same day discharge. The authors do not plan to introduce day case tonsillectomy in Cumbria.