Adenotonsillectomy for upper respiratory infections: evidence based?

• Published in: Archives of disease in childhood Vol. 90; no. 1; pp. 19 - 25
• Main Authors: van Staaij, B K, van den Akker, E H, van der Heijden, G J M G, Schilder, A G, Hoes, A W
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health 01.01.2005; BMJ; BMJ Publishing Group Ltd; BMJ Publishing Group LTD
• Subjects: (adeno)tonsillectomy; Absenteeism; Adenoidectomy - methods; adenotonsillectomy; Biological and medical sciences; Care and treatment; Child; Children; Clinical outcomes; Control Groups; Diseases; Ear diseases; Eligibility; Estimates; Evidence; Evidence-Based Medicine; Head and neck surgery. Maxillofacial surgery. Dental surgery. Orthodontics; Humans; Infections; Intervention; Medical sciences; Methods; Original; Outcome Measures; Patient outcomes; Patients; Pharyngitis - prevention & control; Quality; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Respiratory tract infections; Respiratory Tract Infections - prevention & control; Risk Factors; Statistical Analysis; Studies; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Surgery of the upper aerodigestive tract; systematic review; Throat surgery; Tonsillectomy; Tonsillectomy - methods; Treatment Outcome; T±Ads; upper respiratory infection; upper respiratory infections; URI; Validity; United Kingdom; Human; Pediatrics; Upper respiratory tract; Respiratory disease; Indication; Respiratory system infection; Evidence-based medicine; Recommendation; Adenoidectomy; Treatment; Tonsillectomy; Surgery; Adenoid enlargement; Child

Background: Despite high rates of (adeno)tonsillectomy for upper respiratory infections in western countries, the medical literature offers the physician little support in deciding which child might benefit from the operation. Methods: A literature search was performed to identify randomised trials...