title: The relationship between preoperative serum immunoglobulin levels and the development of bacteremia after tonsillectomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We examined the risk for the development of bacteremia during tonsillectomy and evaluated the presence of an association between bacteremia and preoperative serum immunoglobulin levels.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included 40 patients (16 males, 24 females; mean age 16.8 years; range 5 to 35 years) who underwent tonsillectomy with the use of the dissection-snear technique. Preoperatively, venous blood samples were collected from all the patients to determine serum immunoglobulin levels and the presence or absence of bacteremia. Bacteremia was also investigated in blood samples postoperatively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no growth in the preoperative blood cultures, but bacteremia was documented in 10 patients (25%) after tonsillectomy. Increased serum IgG levels were determined in 15 patients before operation, seven of whom developed bacteremia after tonsillectomy (p<0.05). There was no correlation between postoperative bacteremia and preoperative serum IgM or IgA levels (p>0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although our current knowledge does not allow to predict bacteremia following tonsillectomy in advance, the finding that seven of 10 patients who developed bacteremia had increased preoperative IgG levels draws attention to serum IgG, especially in patents in whom bacteremia may present additional risks.
authors: Department of Otolaryngology, Medicine Faculty of Firat University, Elaziğ, Turkey. keleserol@yahoo.com
authors: Erol
authors: E
authors: Keleş
authors: Uzeyir
authors: U
authors: Gök
authors: Murat
authors: M
authors: Aral
authors: H Cengiz
authors: HC
authors: Alpay
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011300:Preoperative Care; D014068:Tonsillectomy
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D007074:Immunoglobulin G