Washington, Jan 1(ANI): Researchers have revealed that Tonsillectomy, a surgical procedure to treat chronic and recurrent tonsillitis, significantly improves a patients quality of life in both children and adults.

The study was conducted with the help of Tonsil and Adenoid Health Status Instrument (TAHSI), a scale used to measure the quality of life (QOL) of patients pre- and post-procedure.

The first experiment involving adults revealed that out of 72 adult patients, 98 percent reported fewer infections in the six months following surgery, while 76.9 percent expressed strong satisfaction with the surgery results.

Patients also reported substantially fewer cases of continual bad breath (halitosis), sore throats, and trips to the doctor because of sore throats.

The second experiment involving 92 children revealed significant improvements including airway and breathing, infection, health care utilization, cost of care, eating and swallowing, and behaviour.

In addition, 55 of the subjects were given Child Health Questionnaire-PF28 in order to measure QOL with regards to general health, physical functioning, behaviour, bodily pain, and parental impact.

The findings showed significant decrease in number of sore throats, antibiotic courses, days missed from day care/school, doctor visits, and persistent halitosis.

The study is published in the January 2008 issue of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. (ANI)