Washington, October 5 : A new study suggests radiofrequncy-tonsillotomy, a procedure that helps surgeons reduce the size of the tonsillar tissue rather than remove the tonsils entirely, to be an effective and safe method of treating children with symptoms of enlarged tonsils.

Presented at the 2009 American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF) Annual Meeting and OTO EXPO in San Diego, the study involved 167 children under the age of 15 years, who had undergone radiofrequency surgery for symptoms of tonsillar hypertrophy-such as snoring, nocturnal sleep apnea, dysphagia, or speech impairment.

The post-operative follow-up, done two to 26 months after surgery, showed no history of recurrent tonsillitis.

A report on the study said that complete or definite improvement regarding the pre-operative symptoms of tonsillar hypertrophy was obtained in more than 91 percent of the children.

According to background information in the report, children with symptoms of tonsillar hypertrophy have usually been treated with tonsillectomy.

It adds that though such surgery is a relatively common and safe procedure, complications can include post-operative bleeding and infection.

The report stresses that the radiofrequency-tonsillotomy method causes less pain and allows more rapid recovery. (ANI)