Abstract
Tonsillectomy is most frequently carried out for recurrent throat infection, but there is uncertainty about its effectiveness. This paper reviews the evidence of its effectiveness obtained from a search of the Cochrane database and MEDLINE for randomized controlled trials comparing tonsillectomy with non-surgical management of recurrent throat infection. The results show that the effectiveness of a procedure such as tonsillectomy, needs to be considered in the light of its adverse effects. Attempts should be made to inform patients about the uncertainty surrounding the procedure.
Full text
PDF
Selected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
- Barry M. J., Fowler F. J., Jr, Mulley A. G., Jr, Henderson J. V., Jr, Wennberg J. E. Patient reactions to a program designed to facilitate patient participation in treatment decisions for benign prostatic hyperplasia. Med Care. 1995 Aug;33(8):771–782. doi: 10.1097/00005650-199508000-00003. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Haberman R. S., 2nd, Shattuck T. G., Dion N. M. Is outpatient suction cautery tonsillectomy safe in a community hospital setting? Laryngoscope. 1990 May;100(5):511–515. doi: 10.1288/00005537-199005000-00014. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Lannigan F. J., Martin-Hirsch D. P., Basey E. Clinical audit: is day-case adenotonsillectomy safe? Br J Clin Pract. 1993 Sep-Oct;47(5):254–255. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Mawson S. R., Adlington P., Evans M. A controlled study evaluation of adeno-tonsillectomy in children. J Laryngol Otol. 1967 Jul;81(7):777–790. doi: 10.1017/s0022215100067694. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Moralee S. J., Murray J. A. Would day-case adult tonsillectomy be safe? J Laryngol Otol. 1995 Dec;109(12):1166–1167. doi: 10.1017/s0022215100132347. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Paradise J. L., Bluestone C. D., Bachman R. Z., Colborn D. K., Bernard B. S., Taylor F. H., Rogers K. D., Schwarzbach R. H., Stool S. E., Friday G. A. Efficacy of tonsillectomy for recurrent throat infection in severely affected children. Results of parallel randomized and nonrandomized clinical trials. N Engl J Med. 1984 Mar 15;310(11):674–683. doi: 10.1056/NEJM198403153101102. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Paradise J. L., Bluestone C. D., Bachman R. Z., Karantonis G., Smith I. H., Saez C. A., Colborn K., Bernard B. S., Taylor F. H., Schwarzbach R. H. History of recurrent sore throat as an indication for tonsillectomy. Predictive limitations of histories that are undocumented. N Engl J Med. 1978 Feb 23;298(8):409–413. doi: 10.1056/NEJM197802232980801. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Rosenfeld R. M., Green R. P. Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy: changing trends. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 1990 Mar;99(3 Pt 1):187–191. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Roydhouse N. A controlled study of adenotonsillectomy. Arch Otolaryngol. 1970 Dec;92(6):611–616. doi: 10.1001/archotol.1970.04310060083015. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Yardley M. P. Tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy and adenotonsillectomy: are they safe day case procedures? J Laryngol Otol. 1992 Apr;106(4):299–300. doi: 10.1017/s0022215100119346. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]