May 4 : A small study on adults from Finland, who have undergone tonsils surgery, has raised doubts on the long-term benefits of the operation.

Though it was found that tonsillectomy significantly reduced the likelihood of further infection after 90 days, doctors are still wary of suggesting the surgery to patients.

“The main problem with the trial is that the follow-up period was relatively short, and people in the watchful waiting group reported improvement during the trial period,” the British Medical Journal quoted Paul Little, Professor of Primary Care Research at the University of Southampton, as saying.

Other factors that are making trial unreliable are its small size and lack of data on severity of infections.

“The major disadvantage documented in the trial is the 13 days of sore throat after tonsillectomy, which can be severe in many patients. Other disadvantages include the risks associated with an anaesthetic, earache, dehydration, and dental injures, and a risk of life threatening complications, such as major haemorrhage or sepsis,” Little added.

Until such evidence is available, Little would tell patients who have had four bouts of tonsillitis in one year or three in six months that they would probably have on average two and a half days of sore throat in the next half a year, if they decide to avoid the operation.

If they decide to go for the operation they would have about 13 days of pain after surgery, and then on average half a day of sore throat in the coming six months.

The study is published in April issue of British Medical Journal. (ANI)