IL-8 and IFN-γ as Preoperative Predictors of the Outcome of Tonsillectomy.

Abstract

Tonsillectomy (TE) and tonsillotomy (TO) due to recurrent episodes of acute tonsillitis (RAT) belong to the most frequent surgical procedures. However, an adequate objective marker predicting the outcome of TE/TO preoperatively is missing. Patients with RAT who underwent TE/TO (n = 31) were included in this pilot study. A panel of cytokines and chemokines in serum and saliva were determined preoperatively. Health-related quality of life was assessed pre- and postoperatively by the Tonsillectomy Outcome Inventory-14. Health-related quality of life improved significantly after surgery. Increased serum levels of interleukin-8 (IL-8) and interferon gamma (IFN-γ) are associated with a less successful outcome. No correlation between the number of acute tonsillitis episodes and the health-related quality of life after TE or TO could be observed. Tonsillectomy and TO improve health-related quality of life independently from the number of past acute tonsillitis episodes. Interleukin-8 and IFN-γ in serum may serve as promising markers, predicting the benefit of TE or TO for patients preoperatively.