Tonsillar regrowth following partial tonsillectomy with radiofrequency.
OBJECTIVE
To assess regrowth potential of the tonsils following partial tonsillectomy performed by using radiofrequency.


METHODS
Follow-up results of 42 children (aged from 1 to 10 years) who consecutively had partial tonsillectomy with radiofrequency due to obstructive sleep apnea or snoring were evaluated for regrowth of the tonsils.


RESULTS
Regrowth of the remaining tonsillar tissue was observed in 7 of 42 patients (16.6%). The upper respiratory tract obstruction symptoms recurred in 5 of these 7 patients while the remaining 2 patients were asymptomatic. The tonsils of symptomatic patients were removed completely.


CONCLUSIONS
Partial tonsillectomy may have a significant potential for regrowth and thereby recurrence of the obstructive symptoms. Although the cause of this regrowth remains unknown, this problem should be remembered by the surgeons, and an informed consent should be obtained from the families prior to radiofrequency tonsillotomy.
Celenk
Fatih
F
Department of Otolaryngology, Gazi University Faculty of Medicine, Konya yolu, Besevler, 06500 Cankaya, Ankara, Turkey. fcelenk@gazi.edu.tr
Bayazit
Yildirim A
YA
Yilmaz
Metin
M
Kemaloglu
Yusuf K
YK
Uygur
Kemal
K
Ceylan
Alper
A
Korkuyu
Emine
E
D017115:Catheter Ablation; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D014066:Palatine Tonsil / Q000473:pathology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000601:surgery; D014068:Tonsillectomy / Q000379:methods*