Tonsillectomy or adenotonsillectomy versus non-surgical treatment for chronic/recurrent acute tonsillitis

Abstract

Background Surgical removal of the tonsils, with or without adenoidectomy (adeno-/tonsillectomy), is a common ENT operation, but th e indicationsfor surgery are controversial. This is an update of a Cochrane re view first published in The Cochrane Library in Issue 3, 1999 andpreviously updated in 2009. Objectives To assess the effectiveness of tonsillectomy (with and without adenoidectomy) in children and adults with chr onic/recurrent acutetonsillitis in reducing the number and severity of episodes of tonsillitis or sore throat. Search methods We searched the Cochrane Ear, Nose and Throat Disorders Group Trials Register; the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials(CENTRAL); PubMed; EMBASE; CINAHL; Web of S cie nce; Cambridge Scientific Abstracts; ISRCTN and additional sources forpublished and unpublished trials. The date of the most recent search was 30 June 2014. Selection criteria Randomised controlled trials comparing tonsillectomy (with or without adenoidectomy) with non-surgical treatment in adults andchildren with chronic/recurrent acute tonsillitis. Data collection and analysis We used the standard methodological procedures expected by The Cochrane Collaboration.