The role of tonsillectomy in reducing recurrent pharyngitis: A systematic review

To determine the evidence for efficacy of tonsillectomy in reducing the incidence of recurrent pharyngitis. Literature databases consisting of PUBMED, SCOPUS, CINHAL AND OVID EMBASE including all languages. Literature search of database by 2 authors with structured criteria using an online database....

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Otolaryngology-head and neck surgery 2009-03, Vol.140 (3), p.291-297
Main Authors: Blakley, Brian W., Magit, Anthony E.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Child
Humans
Meta-Analysis as Topic
Pharyngitis - prevention & control
Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
Recurrence
Tonsillectomy
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:To determine the evidence for efficacy of tonsillectomy in reducing the incidence of recurrent pharyngitis. Literature databases consisting of PUBMED, SCOPUS, CINHAL AND OVID EMBASE including all languages. Literature search of database by 2 authors with structured criteria using an online database. Selected studies evaluated with meta-analysis. In four randomized, controlled trials tonsillectomy was favored over medical therapy in reducing pharyngitis. The difference was statistically significant in only one study. Overall meta-analysis results were significant, indicating that tonsillectomy results in a reduction of about 43% in the incidence of pharyngitis. The number needed to treat with tonsillectomy to prevent one sore throat per month for the first year after surgery was 11 (95% CI; 7-23). Tonsillectomy reduces the incidence of recurrent pharyngitis to a modest degree.
ISSN:0194-5998
1097-6817
DOI:10.1016/j.otohns.2008.12.013