Indicaciones no tradicionales de amigdalectomía. Actualización
Non-traditional indications of tonsillectomy. Upgrade
Rev. Hosp. Clin. Univ. Chile; 25 (2), 2014
Publication year: 2014
Tonsillectomy is the most common surgical procedure in ENT surgery. Indications are well
known in the field. Upper airway obstruction caused by tonsilar hyperplasia and recurrent
bacterial infections are the most frecuent indications of tonsillectomy, however there are many
other pathologies where tonsillectomy is considered part of the treatment. Non traditional
indications, include IgA nephropathy, pediatric autoinmune neuropsychiatric disorders
associated with Streptococcus, periodic fever with aphtous stomatitis, pharyngitis and
adenitis, some dermatologic entities, among others. In this review we compile recent scientific
evidence supporting the non tradicional indications of tonsillectomy, in order to allow an
informed decision when prescribing this surgical procedure for the treatment of entities which
are not of high prevalence in the daily practice. Evidence supports tonsillectomy as part of the
treatment of some deseases, such as IgA nephropathy, however further evidence is required
to support this treatment for the other pathologies. (AU)