Tonsillectomy versus non-surgical treatment for chronic / recurrent acute tonsillitis.
BACKGROUND
Surgical removal of the tonsils (tonsillectomy) is a common but controversial ENT operation.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the effect of tonsillectomy in patients with chronic/recurrent acute tonsillitis.


METHODS
Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, Medline, Embase, bibliographies.


METHODS
Randomised controlled trials comparing tonsillectomy with non-surgical treatment in adults and children with chronic/recurrent acute tonsillitis. Trials which included reduction in the number and severity of tonsillitis and sore throat as main outcome measures.


METHODS
Two authors applied the inclusion/exclusion criteria independently.


RESULTS
No trials evaluating the effectiveness of tonsillectomy in adults were identified. Two trials from Pittsburgh assessed tonsillectomy in children. Significant baseline differences between the surgical and non-surgical groups and the inclusion of children who also underwent adenoidectomy prevent firm conclusions being drawn from the fully published trial. Limited and insufficient information is available from the second study; further details are awaited.


CONCLUSIONS
The effectiveness of tonsillectomy has not been formally evaluated. Further trials addressing relevant outcome measure are required.
Burton
M J
MJ
Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, The Radcliffe Infirmary, Woodstock Road, Oxford, UK, OX2 6HE. mburton@cochrane-ent.org
Towler
B
B
Glasziou
P
P
D000208:Acute Disease; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006801:Humans; D012008:Recurrence; D014068:Tonsillectomy; D014069:Tonsillitis / Q000601:surgery*