Long-Term Impact of Tonsillectomy on Quality of Life (QoL) in Patients with Palatine Tonsillitis and Palatine Tonsillar Hypertrophy

Abstract

Tonsillectomy is one of the most common surgical procedures and, given the limited efficacy of conservative treatment, remains the primary approach for managing palatine tonsillitis (PT) and palatine tonsillar hypertrophy (PTH). Both conditions negatively affect quality of life (QoL), increase healthcare costs, and contribute to work absenteeism. Objectives: The primary aim of this study is to assess QoL following tonsillectomy and uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) in patients qualified for surgical treatment due to PT and PTH. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted among 89 adults (85% follow-up) who had undergone tonsillectomy and UPPP. QoL was assessed 6 years post-op using the Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI), the Schwentner questionnaire, and VAS. The study group included 89 patients (85% of those who underwent surgery), including 26 women (29%) and 63 men (71%). Results: Patients with PT and PTH showed significant QoL improvement after palatine tonsillectomy. The mean GBI score indicated QoL improvement after both tonsillectomy (+25.7) and UPPP (+15.8), with the most pronounced improvements in physical and general health. Overall, GBI scores were higher in PT compared to PTH (26.6 compared to 15.5), mainly due to better results in the physical health domain (55.9 compared to 12.9). Conclusions: Palatine tonsillectomy has a positive impact on QoL in both PT and PTH patients, with higher questionnaire scores observed in the PT group. Tonsillectomy contributed more significantly to the improvement in QoL than UPPP, as measured by the GBI, the Schwentner questionnaire, and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Furthermore, our study demonstrated that, when evaluating and qualifying patients for tonsillectomy, a more comprehensive otolaryngological assessment should be conducted, including evaluation of the nasal cavity and nasopharynx, as comorbid conditions in these regions are correlated with postoperative QoL outcomes.