Long-term effects of pediatric adenotonsillectomy on serum immunoglobulin levels: results of a randomized controlled trial

Immunoglobulin levels of children undergoing adenotonsillectomy decreased from elevated to slightly elevated or reference values for age during 1-year follow-up irrespective of treatment (adenotonsillectomy or WW). IgA showed a greater decrease in the adenotonsillectomy group but rose to levels comparable with the WW group in cases of frequent URIs. This finding indicates that the remaining mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue can compensate for the loss of tonsil and adenoid tissue.