A surgical solution for minor tonsil and adenoid problems is not
better than simple TLC and waiting, according to a team of Dutch
researchers.
A study of 300 patients found there was little difference in reduction
of symptoms between the 150 children who had tonsillectomies and
those that did not. In fact, during the 18 months following the
procedures, there was no difference in the groups.
Experts say this research backs the trend of declining tonsillectomies
in the United States, which dropped from more than 1 million annually
in the 1970s to 250,000 that are now performed each year.
However, in other countries like the Netherlands, tonsillectomies
remain the standard course of action for recurrent upper respiratory
infections.
Some physicians have developed another strategy that involves the
parents. These doctors encourage parents to monitor their children
for unusual occurrences. They tell parents to administer anti-inflammatory
drugs and analgesics, as necessary, to calm pain and fever.
Some experts add that there are cases when surgery is required.
One example they give is when tonsil or adenoid problems severely
disrupt sleep and breathing. Other physicians set benchmarks for
frequent problems such as a certain number of infections each year
or consistent infections over time. Antibiotics may be prescribed
but, according to research, they have limited effectiveness in these
situations.
British
Medical Journal
September 11, 2004;329(7466) (Free Full Text Article)
Yahoo
News September 10, 2004
|