Pathologic analysis of routine tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy specimens.
OBJECTIVE
Recent literature has suggested that histopathologic analysis of routine tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy (T&A) specimens may be unnecessary. This study investigates T&A specimen handling practices in the United States between 1989 and 1999.


METHODS
Surveys were sent to 4715 members of the American Academy of Otolaryngology. Surveys assessed practice type, pathologic processing practices (full, gross, no pathology), and reasons for change. The authors also performed a retrospective analysis of 1583 pediatric T&A specimens for evidence of occult malignancy.


RESULTS
Practice types were 80% private, 12% academic, 6% salaried, and 2% military. Chi squared analysis revealed a significant increase (P < 0.001) in respondents ordering "gross only" and "no pathology." The retrospective analysis found no occult malignancies.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a statistically significant increase in the number of otolaryngologists sending routine T&A specimens for "gross only" and "no pathology." There was no correlation between the type of practice and changes in pathologic analysis performed.
Strong
E B
EB
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of California, Davis, School of Medicine,Sacramento 95817, USA. ebstrong@ucdavis.edu
Rubinstein
B
B
Senders
C W
CW
D000233:Adenoidectomy; D000234:Adenoids / Q000473:pathology*; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D014066:Palatine Tonsil / Q000473:pathology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013048:Specimen Handling; D014068:Tonsillectomy