Disability and benefit from tonsillectomy in adults

Abstract

In many areas of the United Kingdom, tonsillectomy in adults is as common as in children. However, little is known about the immediate postoperative disability and the longer term benefits from surgery in this group. The object of this study was to assess these factors in adults undergoing tonsillectomy for recurrent sore throats. One hundred and ten adults who had undergone tonsillectomy as an inpatient at least 6 months previously were sent a questionnaire. Sixty-seven (61%) responded. Seventy per cent were women and the median age was 25 years (range 14–48). The median time ill was 5.5 days (range 0–28). It took 7 days (range 0–56) to return to normal activities. Those who were employed returned to work after 15 days (range 0–63). Benefit from tonsillectomy was assessed by the Glasgow Health Benefit Inventory, a questionnaire designed to assess benefit from health care interventions. Adult tonsillectomy patients reported a mean benefit of 29 ( SD 22). This compares with a parent report of benefit in children undergoing tonsillectomy of 43 ( SD 7), surgery to improve hearing in adults of 17 ( SD 5) and surgery for active chronic otitis media in adults of 8 ( SD 5). On average, adult tonsillectomy is thus a highly beneficial operation but the range of benefit is large. Data is now available for preoperative advice as to the speed of postoperative recovery.