Researchers at Newcastle University have identified that removing the palatine tonsils, a procedure known as tonsillectomy, can improve symptoms for adults who experience frequent sore throats. The findings appear in a major medical journal, expanding the evidence for this surgery’s benefit in recurrent throat infections.
In the largest study of its kind conducted in the United Kingdom, patients who underwent tonsillectomy reported about half as many sore throat episodes over a two-year period compared with those who did not have the operation.
The trial enrolled nearly 500 adults with a history of recurrent tonsillitis. Participants met established guidelines for tonsillectomy: seven episodes in a year, five episodes per year for two consecutive years, or three episodes produced over three years. They were randomly assigned to two groups: one group received the surgical procedure, while the control group received standard medical management with pain relief and antibiotics as needed.
Compared with the drug-treated group, those who had the surgery experienced roughly 50 percent fewer sore throat episodes during the following two years, with noticeable improvements within two weeks after the operation.
Historically, tonsillectomy was regarded as an intervention of limited clinical value due to questions about its effectiveness. Over the last two decades, the number of tonsillectomies performed in the UK has declined, while hospital admissions for complicated tonsillitis have increased, underscoring the evolving understanding of this procedure’s role in patient care.
Researchers conclude that clinicians can have greater confidence in recommending tonsillectomy for patients suffering from recurrent tonsillitis when clearly indicated by guidelines and patient history.
Despite the positive results, doctors noted that about 20 percent of patients experienced bleeding after the operation, sometimes requiring a return visit to the hospital for treatment.
The authors call for further research to refine tonsillectomy techniques, reduce postoperative pain, and lower the risk of postoperative bleeding, aiming to improve overall outcomes for adults who rely on this procedure to manage their throat infections.