Parental knowledge and experiences after surgery for chronic otitis media.

Sixty-four parents completed questionnaires pertaining to their knowledge, attitudes and experiences both before and two months after their children underwent adenoidectomy and grommet insertion. Although a positive image of and high satisfaction with both procedure and inpatient stay were demonstrated, many parents failed to appreciate the existence, nature and frequency of possible complications. Parents should be given quite explicit descriptions of the most common postoperative problems.