Anesthetic visit before adenotonsillectomy: comparison between teleconsultation and in-person visit on the occurrence of adverse respiratory events

Descrizione riassuntiva dello studio

This research aims to understand whether an anesthetic visit conducted via video call, prior to a surgical procedure, is as safe as an in-person visit at the hospital. The study involves children and adolescents up to 16 years old who need to undergo surgery to remove their tonsils or adenoids. The anesthetic visit is intended to assess the child's health and prepare them for anesthesia during the procedure. Participants in the study will be randomly assigned to one of two groups, like a coin toss: one group will have the visit at the hospital, while the other group will have the visit from home via video call with the doctor. All children will then receive anesthesia and undergo the surgical procedure according to the same safety rules. The way the visit was conducted does not change the type of care they will receive. Doctors will monitor whether there were any respiratory issues (such as difficulty breathing or severe coughing) during or after the operation, which are the most common in this type of procedure. Information will also be collected on: how long the visit lasts, whether parents are satisfied, if the child or parents were anxious before the procedure, and how much CO₂ was saved by choosing the video call instead of traveling to the hospital. Participation is voluntary, and at any time, one can decide to withdraw from the study without consequences for the child's care.

(BASEC)

Intervento studiato

The study compares two modes of preoperative anesthetic visit for children who need to undergo tonsillectomy and/or adenotonsillectomy:

Video call visit (teleconsultation): conducted by a pediatric anesthetist through a secure digital platform, with review of medical history and assessment of anesthetic risks.

In-person visit: conducted at the hospital according to standard procedures, including a physical examination.

No experimental drugs or medical devices are planned. Both modes of visit are part of current clinical practice.

(BASEC)

Malattie studiate

Perioperative respiratory complications in children undergoing adenotonsillectomy

(BASEC)

Sponsor

Prof. Dr. Med. Andrea Saporito Anesthesia department Ospedale Regionale Bellinzona e Valli (ORBV)
 CH-6500 Bellinzona
 Switzerland andrea.saporito@eoc.ch

(BASEC)

Nome del comitato etico approvante (per studi multicentrici solo il comitato principale)

Commissione d'etica Ticino

(BASEC)

Data di approvazione del comitato etico

01.10.2025

(BASEC)

Risultati dello studio