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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2009 Aug;155(2):250-3.
doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2009.02.038. Epub 2009 May 21.

Effectiveness of adenotonsillectomy in PFAPA syndrome: a randomized study

Werner Garavello  1 , Marco Romagnoli, Renato Maria Gaini
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Effectiveness of adenotonsillectomy in PFAPA syndrome: a randomized study

Werner Garavello et al. J Pediatr. 2009 Aug.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate whether adenotonsillectomy leads to complete resolution in children with PFAPA (periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, and cervical adenitis) syndrome.

Study design: Thirty-nine children with PFAPA syndrome were randomized to either adenotonsillectomy (surgery group; n = 19) or expectant management (control group; n = 20). All patients were then invited prospectively to record all PFAPA episodes, and were evaluated clinically every 3 months for 18 months after randomization.

Results: The proportion of patients experiencing complete resolution was 63% in the surgery group and 5% in the control group (P < .001). The mean (+/- standard deviation) number of episodes recorded during the study period was 0.7 +/- 1.2 in the surgery group and 8.1 +/- 3.9 in the control group (P < .001). The episodes were less severe in the surgery group.

Conclusions: Adenotonsillectomy is an effective treatment strategy for children with PFAPA syndrome.

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