[Immune function alteration in children after tonsillectomy and(or) adenoidectomy]

Tonsillectomy and(or) adenoidectomy are effective procedures for children with chronic tonsillitis, diseases associated with the tonsil and other adenotonsillar diseases, and obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome. Since the tonsil and adenoid gland play a dual role in fluid and cell immunity, whether adenotonsillectomy results in the abnormal immune function in children after the surgery has always been the focus of attention. This review focuses on the alterations and impacts on immunity in children after tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy. Recent studies confirmed that in short term the immune index may be slightly reduced after the tonsil and adenoid resection in children, however, the decline has no clinical significance because the remaining mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue can compensate for removal of the tonsils and adenoids. Over time, the immune index tends to be normal. The children's postoperative short-term decline in the immune index will gradually recover to the preoperative level or there is no significant difference compared with that in normal children. Therefore, long-term immune function did not decline after tonsil and adenoid resection in children.