Tonsillectomy Workup

  • Author: Amelia F Drake, MD; Chief Editor: Arlen D Meyers, MD, MBA   more...
 
Updated: Nov 29, 2011
 

Laboratory Studies

Coagulation parameters should be assessed if the patient's history reveals a potential bleeding problem.

The AAO-HNS suggests that all patients receive a basic coagulation workup.

In 1 study, coagulation tests produced abnormal results in 4% of 1706 children.[1] The disturbing factor in this study was that the patient's preoperative history did not help in identifying children with abnormal coagulation. This is a point of ongoing debate.

With a negative family history for bleeding, routine preoperative coagulation studies are not recommended. With a positive family history, a bleeding time or a consultation with a hematologist is prudent.

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Imaging Studies

Imaging studies include plain radiography, CT scanning, and MRI in an appropriate patient with a tonsillar mass suggestive of malignancy.

In addition, a patient with a pulsatile area adjacent to the tonsil should undergo magnetic resonance arteriography (MRA) before routine tonsillectomy to evaluate for an aberrant internal carotid artery.

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Other Tests

Antibodies for streptolysin-O (ASLO) have been studied as possible indicators for tonsillectomy.[2]

  • These antibodies are correlated with previous infection with group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus (GABHS).
  • To the authors’ knowledge, no recent work has been published concerning this issue.
  • When the diagnosis of recurrent GABHS is questioned, high ASLO titers can shed light on the patient's history.

Historically, GABHS cultured on blood agar and use of a Bacitracin disc has been used to identify the most important agent that causes tonsillitis.

  • More recently, several rapid tests for detecting group A streptococcal antigen have been used.
  • The rapid tests are specific but not uniformly sensitive; therefore negative results need to be confirmed with a routine culture.

Several studies have shown a higher-than-expected incidence of allergy in children with adenotonsillar disease. Therefore, evaluation for allergy may be helpful, but only in children with the signs and symptoms of allergic disease.

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Histologic Findings

Histologic examination of the tonsils is unnecessary unless cancer is suspected. If tonsils are asymmetric, they should be submitted separately and examined histologically to rule out cancer.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Amelia F Drake, MD  Newton D Fischer Distinguished Professor of Otolaryngology, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine

Amelia F Drake, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American Cleft Palate/Craniofacial Association, American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology, and North Carolina Medical Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Michele M Carr, DDS, MD, MEd, PhD  Associate Professor, Department of Otolaryngology, Milton S Hershey Medical Center, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine

Michele M Carr, DDS, MD, MEd, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Ari J Goldsmith, MD  Chief of Pediatric Otolaryngology, Long Island College Hospital; Associate Professor, Department of Otolaryngology, Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center

Ari J Goldsmith, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American Medical Association, and Medical Society of the State of New York

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

Gregory C Allen, MD  Assistant Professor, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine

Gregory C Allen, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Cleft Palate/Craniofacial Association, American College of Surgeons, American Laryngological Rhinological and Otological Society, American Medical Association, Christian Medical & Dental Society, and Colorado Medical Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Christopher L Slack, MD  Private Practice in Otolaryngology and Facial Plastic Surgery, Associated Coastal ENT; Medical Director, Treasure Coast Sleep Disorders

Christopher L Slack, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and American Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Arlen D Meyers, MD, MBA  Professor, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine

Arlen D Meyers, MD, MBA is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and American Head and Neck Society

Disclosure: Covidien Corp Consulting fee Consulting; US Tobacco Corporation Unrestricted gift Unknown; Axis Three Corporation Ownership interest Consulting; Omni Biosciences Ownership interest Consulting; Sentegra Ownership interest Board membership; Syndicom Ownership interest Consulting; Oxlo Consulting; Medvoy Ownership interest Management position; Cerescan Imaging Honoraria Consulting; GYRUS ACMI Honoraria Consulting

Additional Contributors

Mescape Reference thanks Vijay R Ramakrishnan, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Otolaryngology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, for the videos in this article.

References

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  16. Paradise JL, Bluestone CD, Bachman RZ, et al. Efficacy of tonsillectomy for recurrent throat infection in severely affected children. Results of parallel randomized and nonrandomized clinical trials. N Engl J Med. Mar 15 1984;310(11):674-83. [Medline].

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  18. Tauman R, Gulliver TE, Krishna J, et al. Persistence of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in children after adenotonsillectomy. J Pediatr. Dec 2006;149(6):803-8. [Medline].

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  20. Galland BC, Dawes PJ, Tripp EG, Taylor BJ. Changes in behavior and attentional capacity after adenotonsillectomy. Pediatr Res. May 2006;59(5):711-6. [Medline].

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  23. Fowler RH. The rise of the tonsil operation. In: Tonsil Surgery: Based on a Study of the Anatomy. Philadelphia: FA Davis Co; 1931:54-60.

 
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Typical appearance on the morning after tonsillectomy, which was performed by using a blunt dissection method.
Tonsillectomy performed with the cautery technique. A Colorado needle-tip bovie is used to dissect the tonsil from its underlying muscular bed.
A suction bovie is used to achieve hemostasis. Ideally, the least amount of cautery necessary for hemostasis is used. Staying in the proper dissection plane limits the amount of bleeding, and possibly postoperative pain.
 
 
 
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