Study: Tonsillectomies not beneficial long term

Editor's Note

Children having tonsillectomies to improve the number of sore throats and throat infections, associated clinic visits, and days of school missed had improved outcomes in the first year after surgery compared with children not having surgery, but these benefits did not persist over time, this study finds.

For the analysis, Vanderbilt University researchers assessed nearly 10,000 studies of tonsillectomy efficacy.

The analysis is the most comprehensive study in tonsillectomy literature ever done, the authors say. The findings will help inform policymakers as they refine current tonsillectomy guidelines.

CONTEXT: The effectiveness of tonsillectomy or adenotonsillectomy ("tonsillectomy") for recurrent throat infection compared with watchful waiting is uncertain. OBJECTIVE: To compare sleep, cognitive, behavioral, and health outcomes of tonsillectomy versus watchful waiting in children with recurrent throat infections. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Library.