Tonsillectomy: Is it worth beneficial for patients with chronic arthralgia? [clinico-bacteriological study]

This study aimed at evaluation of the effect of tonsillectomy on patients suffering from chronic arthralgia regardless the presence of recurrent tonsillopharyngitis. The study was carried out in the period from May 1997 through June 1999. The patients of the study were 253 out of total 370 patients. They were divided into 3 groups. Group [A] included patients suffering from chronic arthralgia with recurrent tonsillitis. Group [B] "group in focus". Those patients suffering from chronic, arthralgia without recurrent tonsillitis. Group [C] as a control group included patients suffering from recurrent tonsillitis but without any history arthralgia. All patients were subjected to thorough clinical examination and laboratory investigations [HB%o ESR. ASOT and throat culture] before and after tonsillectomy. The results of this study proved definite improvement of about 63% of patients with chronic arthralgia with negative history of recurrent tonsillitis. Tonsillectomy may be one of the effective measures of relieving arthralgia even in patients without history of tonsillitis

Effect of tonsillectomy on the immunity and immunoglobulins profle in children

This study investigated the effect of tonsillectomy on the immunity of patients and the level of immunoglobulins after tonsillectomy in 157 patients. It was found that there was significant fall on the base line serum level of IgG, postoperatively, while the IgM and IgA were not affected much. The fall in IgG was transient and did not affect the immunity of the individuals. It was also found that the group of patients having massively enlarged tonsils did not show marked rise in the level of immunoglobulins, on the contrary, the levels were found lower than in the other 2 groups having mild enlargement of tonsils. During the follow up after tonsillectomy, the patients did not have any significant episode of sore throat or upper respiratory tract infection