Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 22, 2026

Isolation of Tonsillar Mononuclear Cells to Study Ex Vivo Innate Immune Responses in a Human Mucosal Lymphoid Tissue

Isolation of Tonsillar Mononuclear Cells to Study Ex Vivo Innate Immune Responses in a Human Mucosal Lymphoid Tissue

Published on: June 14, 2020

Impact of partial and total tonsillectomy on adenoid regrowth

Mehmet Ali Babademez¹, Fatih Gul², Engin Muz³

¹Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Yildirim Beyazit University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.

The Laryngoscope

|April 15, 2016

Insights

Partial intracapsular tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy (ITA) showed significantly lower adenoid regrowth rates in children compared to total tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy (TA). ITA is a safe procedure with minimal regrowth, making it a preferred option for adenotonsillar hypertrophy.

Area of Science:

Otolaryngology
Pediatric Surgery
Surgical Outcomes

Background:

Adenotonsillar hypertrophy is a common condition in children, often requiring surgical intervention.
Adenoid regrowth after adenoidectomy can lead to recurrent symptoms and further medical management.
Comparing surgical techniques is crucial for optimizing patient outcomes and minimizing complications.

Purpose of the Study:

To compare the incidence and severity of adenoid regrowth between partial intracapsular tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy (ITA) and total tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy (TA) in pediatric patients.
To evaluate the safety and efficacy of ITA in preventing adenoid regrowth compared to TA.

Main Methods:

Retrospective cohort study analyzing records of 5,120 children under 12 who underwent adenoidectomy with tonsil surgery (April 2008-September 2014).
Included children with symptomatic obstructive sleep apnea (without recurrent tonsillitis history) who had endoscopic adenoidectomy with microdebrider and either traditional tonsillectomy or partial tonsillectomy with coblation.
Adenoid regrowth was assessed at 1-year follow-up using subjective grading on a numerical scale.

Main Results:

1,504 children in the ITA group and 1,340 in the TA group met inclusion criteria.
Adenoid regrowth occurred in 4.7% of the ITA group (0.06% severe) versus 7.3% in the TA group (1.4% symptomatic).
A statistically significant difference (P < .001) in regrowth rates was observed, favoring ITA.

Conclusions:

Partial intracapsular tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy (ITA) is associated with a significantly lower rate of adenoid regrowth in children with adenotonsillar hypertrophy compared to total tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy (TA).
ITA appears to be a safe and effective procedure for managing adenotonsillar hypertrophy, with a low incidence of adenoid regrowth.

Read full analysis

Abstract

Objectives/Hypothesis:

To compare the rates of adenoid regrowth in children who underwent total tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy (TA) versus partial intracapsular tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy (ITA).

Study Design:

Retrospective cohort study.

Methods:

A medical database was used to retrieve the records of 5,120 children younger than 12 years of age who had an adenoidectomy in combination with a tonsil surgery between April 2008 and September 2014. Children who had symptomatic obstructive sleep apnea without a history of recurrent tonsillitis, and underwent an endoscopic adenoidectomy with a microdebrider, in addition to a traditional tonsillectomy or partial tonsillectomy with coblation, were included in the study. Adenoid regrowth was evaluated in the children who completed at least a 1-year follow-up. The sizes of adenoids were subjectively graded and reported based upon a numerical scale.

Results:

In total, 1,504 and 1,340 children met the inclusion, and were comprised of ITA and TA groups, respectively. Adenoid regrowth was seen in 98 (7.3%) children in the TA group after 1-year follow-up. Symptomatic adenoid regrowth was seen in 19 (1.4%) children in the TA group. In the ITA group, although 71 (4.7%) children had adenoid regrowth, only one (0.06%) reached grade 3 hypertrophy that could be attributed to nasal obstruction at 1-year follow-up. Comparison of the regrowth rates of both groups at the end of the 1-year follow-up period showed a statistically significant difference (P < .001).

Conclusions:

ITA seems to be a safe procedure with a low incidence of regrowth of adenoid tissue in children with adenotonsillar hypertrophy when compared to TA.

Level Of Evidence:

4. Laryngoscope, 127:753-756, 2017.

Keywords:

Adenoidectomy adenoidal regrowth partial intracapsular tonsillectomy tonsillectomy

More Related Videos

CO2-Lasertonsillotomy Under Local Anesthesia in Adults

CO2-Lasertonsillotomy Under Local Anesthesia in Adults

Published on: November 6, 2019

Endoscopic Endonasal Trans-sphenoidal Approach: Minimally Invasive Surgery for Pituitary Adenomas

Endoscopic Endonasal Trans-sphenoidal Approach: Minimally Invasive Surgery for Pituitary Adenomas

Published on: January 17, 2018

Related Concept Videos

Chronic Pharyngitis

Chronic Pharyngitis

Chronic pharyngitis refers to persistent inflammation of the pharyngial mucosa.
Etiology
It often arises from persistent viral or bacterial infections affecting sinuses and tonsils.
Additional contributing factors include inadequate dental hygiene, mouth breathing, recurring tonsillitis, allergic rhinitis, laryngopharyngeal reflux, and exposure to smoke, chemicals, and other environmental pollutants. Allergic reactions to pollen, mold, and pet dander, chronic cough, excessive voice usage,...

Tonsillitis II: Management

Tonsillitis II: Management

This lesson will focus on the different treatment options for managing tonsillitis, which typically depend on the cause and severity.

Tonsillitis I: Introduction

Tonsillitis I: Introduction

Tonsillitis is inflammation of the tonsils, which are two lymphoid tissue masses at the back of the throat. This condition can cause discomfort and irritation in the throat.
Etiology
Three primary contributing factors have been identified.

Suctioning the Nasopharyngeal Airway

Suctioning the Nasopharyngeal Airway

Nasopharyngeal suctioning is a procedure to remove secretions from the upper part of the respiratory tract that the patient cannot clear independently. It helps maintain airway patency and prevents complications such as aspiration pneumonia.
Equipment Required

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Interpretable Machine Learning Prediction of the Dielectric Constant and Bandgap of Polymers for Flexible Electronics.

Polymers·2026

AI-generated versus standard informed consent forms in otolaryngology: a blinded multirater pilot feasibility study.

Acta oto-laryngologica·2026

Artificial-intelligence-based developmental screening for pre-school children (ages 3-6): a scoping review of deployed tools, clinical validity, equity, and implementation in guidance-center settings.

Frontiers in psychology·2026

Association of the Modified HALP Score with Disease Complexity in Deep Neck Infections: A Dual-Center Retrospective Study.

Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland)·2026

Inflammatory markers as determinants of glue-type effusion and recurrent ventilation tube placement.

European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology : official journal of the European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS) : affiliated with the German Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Head and Neck Surgery·2026

Multitarget Antiproliferative Activity of Pituranthos scoparius: An Integrated Phytochemical, Biological and Computational Insights into Key Oncogenic Pathways.

Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)·2026

See all related articles