Recurrent Throat Infections and Tonsillectomy

We will have a prospective randomized study. We allocated 87 consecutive patients referred for tonsillectomy randomly in two groups: tonsilectomy group or waiting list(control group). Patients in tonsillectomy group were operated as soon as possible and data on postoperative morbidity was collected. In the control group, patients were placed on our normal waiting list and they were operated on in normal time (about 5-6 months). The data on preoperative morbidity was collected. All the pharyngitis episodes were treated by a study investigator and laboratory tests (crp, procalcitonin) were taken at that time and after three days. In addition, the patients record their symptoms on a diary.

Inclusion criteria

• Patients selected among the cases referred to tonsillectomy for recurrent pharyngitis episodes to a tertiary care university ENT clinic (Oulu, Finland).
• At least three pharyngitis episodes difficult enough for the patients to seek for medical attention during the past 12 months

Exclusion criteria

• Patients with other serious diseases (day surgery not feasible)
• Patients having long time antibiotic treatment for other disease
• Patients diagnosed to have peritonsillar abscess
• Pregnancy
• Age of 12 or under
• Patients living outside Oulu or its 8 neighbouring cities (day surgery not feasible)
• Patients suffering only from halitosis or bacterial plugs of palatine tonsils