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. 2013 Jan-Feb;79(1):28-34.
doi: 10.5935/1808-8694.20130006.

Short and long term impact of adenotonsillectomy on the immune system

[Article in English, Portuguese]
Fábio Pires Santos  1 , Raimar Weber, Bibiana Callegaro Fortes, Shirley Shizue Nagata Pignatari
Affiliations

Short and long term impact of adenotonsillectomy on the immune system

[Article in English, Portuguese]
Fábio Pires Santos et al. Braz J Otorhinolaryngol. 2013 Jan-Feb.

Abstract

Palatine and pharyngeal tonsils are immune reactive lymphoid organs that manifest specific antibodies and B/T-cell activity to respond to a variety of antigens. They perform humoral and cellular immune functions. The possible effects of adenotonsillectomy upon the immune system remain controversial.

Objective: To study the short and long-term impacts of tonsillectomy upon the cellular and humoral immunity of children.

Method: This longitudinal prospective study included 29 children referred to adenotonsillectomy for adenotonsillar hypertrophy. Serum IgA, IgM, and IgG and lymphocyte counts were analyzed at three points in time: before surgery, 1-2 months after surgery (short term), and 12-14 months after surgery (long term).

Results: TCD4+ cell counts were significantly increased shortly after surgery. IgA and IgG values were significantly reduced in the long run, but were within normal ranges for this age group.

Conclusion: This study indicated that adenotonsillectomy does not pose negative short or long term impacts upon the cellular and humoral immunity of children submitted to the procedure.

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Figures

Graph 1
Graph 1
Humoral and cellular immunity serum markers. Mean postoperative variation and 95% CI. LTCD4+: Lymphocytes TCD4+; LTCD8+: Lymphocytes T CD8+; IgA: Immunoglobulin A; IgM: Immunoglobulin M; IgG: Immunoglubulin G.
Graph 2
Graph 2
Humoral immunity serum markers. Mean variation in the recent (1 to 2 months) and late (12 to 14 months) postoperative periods and 95% CI. IgA: Immunoglobuline A; IgM: Immunoglobuline M; IgG: Immunoglobuline G.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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