Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 13, 2026
Isolation of Tonsillar Mononuclear Cells to Study Ex Vivo Innate Immune Responses in a Human Mucosal Lymphoid Tissue
Published on: June 14, 2020
Short and long term impact of adenotonsillectomy on the immune system
Fábio Pires Santos1, Raimar Weber, Bibiana Callegaro Fortes
1Otology and Ear Surgery service at UNIFESP/EPM, Brazil.
Unlabelled:
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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