Subtotal intracapsular tonsillectomy may be the first choice for tonsillectomy in children.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect and prognosis of subtotal intracapsular tonsillectomy. METHODS: All children (n=162) with tonsillar hypertrophy and chronic tonsillitis were randomly divided into two groups: tonsillectomy (n=75) and subtotal intracapsular tonsillectomy (n=87). Tonsillectomy: the tonsillar tissue was completely removed along with the tonsillar capsule. Subtotal intracapsular tonsillectomy: 80% to 90% of the tonsils and the complete epithelium of the tonsillar crypts were removed without damaging the tonsillar capsule. The Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, and Consolability (FLACC) and parents' postoperative pain measure (PPPM) scales were used to evaluate postoperative pain, and the obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)-18 questionnaire was used to assess the children's postoperative quality of life. The patients were followed-up for 2 years. RESULTS: 1. The FLACC and PPPM scales indicated that the children's postoperative pain after subtotal intracapsular tonsillectomy was significantly less than that of children undergoing tonsillectomy. 2. The OSA-18 scale scores indicated that subtotal intracapsular tonsillectomy significantly improved the children's quality of life. 3. Two years after subtotal intracapsular tonsillectomy, no patients required reoperation. CONCLUSION: Subtotal intracapsular tonsillectomy may be the first choice for tonsillar hypertrophy and chronic tonsillitis patients.