SynthesisThe Cochrane database of systematic reviews2000
Tonsillectomy versus non-surgical treatment for chronic / recurrent acute tonsillitis.
Synthesis in The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 2000. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 33 papers, 4 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
33 citing papers in PubMed, 4 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 127 citations in OpenAlex.
- Tonsillectomy or adenotonsillectomy versus non-surgical treatment for chronic/recurrent acute tonsillitis.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2014Pooled it
- Oral rinses, mouthwashes and sprays for improving recovery following tonsillectomy.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2013Pooled it
- Adenoidectomy for recurrent or chronic nasal symptoms in children.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2010Pooled it
- Tonsillitis.BMJ clinical evidence · 2009Pooled it
- Trial
- Short-term outcomes of tonsillectomy in adult patients with recurrent pharyngitis: a randomized controlled trial.CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association journal = journal de l'Association medicale canadienne · 2013Trial
- Tonsillectomy versus watchful waiting in recurrent streptococcal pharyngitis in adults: randomised controlled trial.BMJ (Clinical research ed.) · 2007Trial
- Adenoid hypertrophy detection inventory in children for primary care physicians and pediatricians.European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology : official journal of the European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS) : affiliated with the German Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Head and Neck Surgery · 2025Article
- Lactoferrin versus Long-Acting Penicillin in Reducing Elevated Anti-Streptolysin O Titer in Cases of Tonsillopharyngitis.Infection and drug resistance · 2022Article
- Article
- Article
- Cytokine production in patients with recurrent acute tonsillitis: analysis of tonsil samples and blood.Scientific reports · 2020Article
- Surgical management of the tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy patient.World journal of otorhinolaryngology - head and neck surgery · 2017Review
- Functional characterization of T-cells from palatine tonsils in patients with chronic tonsillitis.PloS one · 2017Article
- Conflicting Study Results.Deutsches Arzteblatt international · 2016Article
- Indications for tonsillectomy stratified by the level of evidence.GMS current topics in otorhinolaryngology, head and neck surgery · 2016Review
- Tonsillectomy among children with low baseline acute throat infection consultation rates in UK general practices: a cohort study.BMJ open · 2015Article
- The rising rate of admissions for tonsillitis and neck space abscesses in England, 1991-2011.Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England · 2014Observational
- Tonsillitis and sore throat in children.GMS current topics in otorhinolaryngology, head and neck surgery · 2014Review
- Article
Corrections and comments
- Updated by
Authors and funding
3 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundSurgical removal of the tonsils (tonsillectomy) is a common but controversial ENT operation.
objectivesTo determine the effect of tonsillectomy in patients with chronic/recurrent acute tonsillitis. SEARCH STRATEGY: Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, Medline, Embase, bibliographies. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials comparing tonsillectomy with non-surgical treatment in adults and children with chronic/recurrent acute tonsillitis. Trials which included reduction in the number and severity of tonsillitis and sore throat as main outcome measures. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two authors applied the inclusion/exclusion criteria independently. MAIN
resultsNo trials evaluating the effectiveness of tonsillectomy in adults were identified. Two trials from Pittsburgh assessed tonsillectomy in children. Significant baseline differences between the surgical and non-surgical groups and the inclusion of children who also underwent adenoidectomy prevent firm conclusions being drawn from the fully published trial. Limited and insufficient information is available from the second study; further details are awaited. REVIEWER'S
conclusionsThe effectiveness of tonsillectomy has not been formally evaluated. Further trials addressing relevant outcome measure are required.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.