Long-term effects of adenotonsillectomy on serum-specific immunoglobulin E

Background The biased immune reactions of the adenotonsillar tissues are not always reflected by the serum immunoglobulin E (IgE); thus, we hypothesize that the systemic atopic status may not be changed after the adenotonsillectomy (AT) in children. Methods Twenty-five children with AT and 23 age-matched healthy children were enrolled into this study, and followed up for ~4 years. Nasal Symptoms Scores (NSS), Quality of Life Scores (QOLS), specific IgE (sIgE), cytokines, and inflammatory cell were documented in all the subjects before and after study. Results Fourteen patients and three healthy controls had positive serum sIgE levels (>0.35 kU/l) at the study-start that was not changed by the study-end. Two patients and two sIgE-negative healthy controls showed the Dermatophagoidespteronyssinus sensitization at the study-end. NSS and QOLS showed significant improvement after the surgery in the sIgE-positive patients ( P <0.05), whereas no significant changes were found in the sIgE-negative patients ( P =1.00). In addition, the serum sIgE-negative patients showed significant increases in interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, and IL-10 levels in the serum ( P <0.001), although no significant differences were found post surgery ( P =0.667, 0.408, and 0.714, respectively). Conclusions Our study showed that AT did not affect the pediatric atopic status. The systemic atopy may be independent of the tonsillar and adenoid tissues in children.