Objectives: To assess upper respiratory surgery rates in Finnish children and compare the rates of adenoidectomy and tympanostomy tubes in 2002 with the 1987 cohort.
Methods: Descriptive study of national upper respiratory surgery in Finland in 1987 and 2002; adenoidectomies, tympanostomy tubes and combination of these two. Surgical rates were viewed in the light of child density and number of primary care physicians and otorhinolaryngologists.
Results: Rates of adenoidectomy and tympanostomy tubes were highest in Western Finland and lowest in Eastern Finland (p<0.00001). Peak-age for adenoidectomy and tympanostomy tubes was in the second year of life. Surgery was most common in boys (p<0.00001). Both the numbers of otorhinolaryngologists and operations increased from 1987 to 2002; the largest surgery increase, 7.3%, was found in Western Finland.
Conclusion: Large national differences in rates of paediatric adenoidectomy and tympanostomy tubes in Finland propose that national guidelines have not had an impact on the selection of children for surgery.