asked the Minister for Health if he will state, for each of the past five years (a) the number of children in County Wexford recommended for tonsil extraction after examination under the school medical service, and (b) the number of such children whose tonsils were extracted.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tonsils Extraction in Wexford.
3.
As the reply is in the form of a tabular statement, I propose, a Cheann Comhairle, with your permission, to circulate it with the Official Report.
Following is the statement :—
|
Year |
Number of children examined under the School Health Service and recommended for tonsillectomy |
Number of tonsillectomies performed on such children |
|
(1) |
(2) |
(3) |
|
1958 |
163 |
102 |
|
1959 |
244 |
35 |
|
1960 |
223 |
138 |
|
1961 |
344 |
193 |
|
1962 |
133 |
168 |
The figures in Column (2) relate to children recommended for tonsillectomy as a result of the examination of the child at the school. In some of these cases the surgical staff, or the ear, nose and throat specialist who subsequently examined the patient, decided against surgical treatment, and in some, the parents did not bring the child to hospital for further examination or treatment.
In mid-January, 1963, the number of children in Co. Wexford awaiting tonsillectomy was nine. Apart from these, about 50 children, possibly needing such treatment, were awaiting examination or re-examination by the ear, nose and throat specialist, the majority being children referred as a result of school health examinations carried out in November-December, 1962. A proportion of these children may not require tonsillectomy.