Telemedicine follow-up after tonsillectomy is safe in China’s Greater Bay Area

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the uptake of telemedicine for post-operative care, yet evidence specific to tonsillectomy follow-up remains scarce, particularly in the Greater Bay Area of China. Objective To evaluate whether telemedicine follow-up after uncomplicated tonsillectomy is associated with comparable safety and healthcare utilization outcomes compared with conventional face-to-face review, and to assess differences in consultation efficiency and patient satisfaction. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 206 tonsillectomies performed at a single tertiary centre from January 2020 to December 2022. After applying stringent exclusion criteria, 163 patients were analyzed. Cohorts were defined by the modality of the first scheduled post-operative visit: telemedicine ( n = 77) or face-to-face ( n = 86). The primary outcome was any complication within 30 days; secondary outcomes within 14 days included emergency-department (ED) visits, readmissions, the need for additional procedures, consultation duration, travel metrics, and patient satisfaction (0–10 Likert scale). Results Baseline demographics, surgical indications, and operative variables were comparable between groups. Within 30 days, complication rates did not differ (telemedicine 13% vs face-to-face 12%, p = 0.79). Likewise, no significant differences emerged for ED attendance (3% vs 3%, p = 0.83), 14-day readmissions (1% vs 2%, p = 0.67), or requirement for further procedures (2% vs 3%, p = 0.56). Telemedicine consultations were 34% shorter (mean 8.4 vs 12.7 min, p = 0.002), eliminated all travel (median 34.3 miles and 98.7 min saved, p < 0.001), and yielded marginally higher patient satisfaction (9.8 vs 9.4, p = 0.036). Conclusion In selected, low-risk patients, telemedicine follow-up after tonsillectomy did not result in higher complication rates or increased healthcare utilization compared with face-to-face review, while offering greater efficiency and patient satisfaction. These findings support its consideration as an alternative follow-up modality.