Outcomes research in pediatric otolaryngology.

There are several validated outcomes instruments available for use in the pediatric otolaryngology population. These include instruments for otitis media, rhinosinusitis, tonsil and adenoid disease; sleep-disordered breathing, voice disorders and tracheotomy. In addition, several prospective outcomes studies have been performed on common pediatric otolaryngology conditions. These studies have typically indicated that the quality of life impact of diseases such as otitis media and recurrent tonsillitis is quite high, and that surgical treatments (such as tympanostomy tube placement and adenotonsillectomy) result in significant improvements in quality of life and disease-specific health status. In addition, cost-effectiveness studies of cochlear implantation have indicated that implantation is a very cost-effective intervention when performed in children.