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Updated: Jun 22, 2026
CO2-Lasertonsillotomy Under Local Anesthesia in Adults
Published on: November 6, 2019
Effectiveness of adenotonsillectomy in PFAPA syndrome: a randomized study
Werner Garavello1, Marco Romagnoli, Renato Maria Gaini
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Ospedale San Gerardo, University of Milano-Bicocca, DNTB Monza, Italy. werner.garavello@unimib.it
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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