Tonsillectomy Convalescence: A Clinical Trial

Abstract

In a carefully designed clinical trial in 450 patients, the incidence of complications following tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy in children was 71/2%, and more than one quarter of the patients had a “stormy convalescence”. Prophylactic postoperative Propicillin and Sulphamethoxazole reduced this morbidity, in the latter case, the results being statistically significant. The Propicillin results may have been better if continuous therapeutic blood levels had been attained. No relationship was found between pre-operative bacterial throat flora and complication rate. Despite the likely drug sensitivity incidence of 1% prophylactic chemo-therapy was shown to be indicated following this operation in children.