Chronic infection #1 reason for adult tonsillectomy

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - The most common reason that adults undergo tonsillectomy is chronic infection, in contrast with children, who have their tonsils removed primarily to treat obstructed airways.

That's according to a study presented today in Chicago at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Foundation, the largest yearly gathering of ear, nose and throat specialists.

Tonsillectomy in adults, while far less common than in children, still accounts for one third of all procedures.

To determine the reasons for tonsillectomy in adults and identify factors associated with post-surgery complications, Dr. Elizabeth Kathryn Hoddeson from Emory University in Atlanta and Dr. Christine G. Gourin from Johns Hopkins in Baltimore reviewed the medical records of 361 adults who had their tonsils out between 2001 and 2007.

The records showed that 207 adults (57 percent) had the surgery to treat chronic infection in the tonsils and throat, while 98 (27 percent) had the surgery to correct upper airway obstruction caused by enlarged tonsils. In 56 cases (16 percent), suspected cancer was the reason for the surgery.

A total of 54 of the adults (15 percent) had complications following the surgery, most often bleeding, followed by pain and dehydration, and admission for low blood-oxygen levels.

Patients who had tonsillectomy to correct upper airway obstruction had an increased incidence of prolonged hospital stay (beyond 24 hours) or readmission to the hospital, while those who had the surgery to treat chronic infection had an increased incidence of post-surgery bleeding.

The overall incidence of complications is comparable to that of children, the researchers report.

These findings, the researchers suggest, may help doctors with pre-tonsillectomy counseling in adults.