title: A review of tonsillectomy for recurrent throat infection.
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.
authors.affiliation: Northamptonshire Health Authority, Northampton. tom@lacehouse.demon.co.uk
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Marshall
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012008:Recurrence; D014068:Tonsillectomy; D014069:Tonsillitis / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome