The relation between tonsillectomy and snoring.

The aim of this study was to determine the relation between snoring and tonsillectomy. The grossly enlarged tonsils of a heavily snoring child or adult with upper airway obstruction is usually sufficient indication for tonsillectomy. The authors wondered if tonsillectomy could affect snoring, no matter what the age and the indication for surgery. One thousand people took part in this study: a random sample of patients aged between 2 and 89 years of age, and those accompanying them in the ENT outpatients. The prevalence of snoring was 12.5-48%, mainly in men. The degree of snoring was graded from non-snorers to mild, moderate and severe snorers. In 19.8% of the sample tonsillectomy had already been performed, usually in childhood. The authors conclude that tonsillectomy does not reduce the likelihood of becoming a snorer.