An Integrative Review of Korean Nursing Studies on Pediatric Tonsillectomy

Purpose: Tonsillectomy is a very common surgical procedure, particularly in children. The purpose of this study was to identify current evidence in nursing research on pediatric tonsillectomy by analyzing and evaluating Korean nursing studies related to pediatric tonsillectomy. Methods: An integrative literature review of Korean pediatric tonsillectomy research was conducted. Databases were searched to identify research that related to nursing care for pediatric tonsillectomy children. Results: Of the 115 studies identified, 13 studies met the inclusion criteria for this review. All studies were experimental studies and most of those studies had a quasi experimental design. No correlational studies or qualitative studies were found. Providing nursing information and education for children and their mothers at pre, during, and post tonsillectomy by pediatric nurses were found to be effective in reducing children’s pain and anxiety and their mother’s anxiety and uncertainty, and increasing children’s appropriate sick role behaviors and their mother’s satisfaction with nursing services provided and knowledge related to tonsillectomy. Conclusion: Although most studies reported positive effects in terms of post tonsillectomy outcomes, lack of methodological rigor limits the current evidences for pediatric tonsillectomy nursing interventions. Greater attention to improve methodological rigor for Korean research on pediatric tonsillectomy is needed.