[Changes in immunoglobulin levels following adenoidectomy and tonsillectomy]. / Alteraciones de la inmunidad tras adenoidectomía y amigdalectomía.

INTRODUCTION: Lymphoid tissue from Waldeyer's ring produces all types of immunoglobulins, mainly G and A, and between 4 to 10 years, of age. In other words, the age in which the adenoid and tonsillar surgery is carried out. Our study tries to analyze the impact of the tonsillar surgery on the serum levels of immunoglobulins. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We present a prospective study with 89 healthy children aged between 4 to 10 years. Immunoglobulin G, A and M levels were measured preoperatively, at a month and at four months after adenoidectomy and/or tonsillectomy. RESULTS: Serum IgG levels dropped after surgery, but partially recovered four months later. IgA dropped less significantly and IgM did not change its levels. No one of the studied inmunoglobulins dropped below the normal serum levels. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSIONS: Adenoid and tonsilar surgery cause a fall of postoperative immunoglobulin G and A serum levels, partially recovering after four months. Serum levels never dropped below normal levels, and of the studied children suffered a postoperative disease due to immunodeficiency.

Alteraciones de la inmunidad tras adenoidectomía y amigdalectomía / Changes in immunoglobulin levels following adenoidectomy and tonsillectomy

Introducción: Los órganos linfoides del anillo de Waldeyer producen todos los tipos de inmunoglobulinas (principalmente la G y la A), desarrollando su actividad principal entre los 4 y los 10 años de edad, es decir, aquella en la que la patología adenoamigdalar causa el mayor número de indicaciones quirúrgicas de las mismas. Nuestro estudio pretende analizar el impacto que la exéresis adenoamigdalar causa sobre los niveles de inmunoglobulinas en el niño.Material y métodos: Presentamos un estudio prospectivo de 89 pacientes sanos entre 4 y 10 años intervenidos en nuestro servicio de adenoidectomía y adenoamigdalectomía, a los cuales se les determinaron los niveles de inmunoglobulinas G, A y M preoperatoriamente y al mes y cuatro meses. Resultados: Las cifras de IgG sérica sufrieron un descenso postoperatorio, recuperándose parcialmente a los cuatro meses. La IgA descendió en menor medida y la IgM apenas sufrió variaciones. Ninguna de las inmunoglobulinas estudiadas descendió por debajo de niveles considerados normales. Discusión/Conclusiones: La intervención amigdalar y adenoidea causan descensos postoperatorios en las cifras séricas de inmunoglobulinas G y A, con recuperación parcial a medio plazo. En ningún caso las cifras séricas descienden por debajo de los niveles considerados normales, y en ninguno de los niños estudiados la intervención causó patología postoperatoria derivada de una alteración de la inmunidad (AU)

INTRODUCTION: Lymphoid tissue from Waldeyer's ring produces all types of immunoglobulins, mainly G and A, and between 4 to 10 years, of age. In other words, the age in which the adenoid and tonsillar surgery is carried out. Our study tries to analyze the impact of the tonsillar surgery on the serum levels of immunoglobulins. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We present a prospective study with 89 healthy children aged between 4 to 10 years. Immunoglobulin G, A and M levels were measured preoperatively, at a month and at four months after adenoidectomy and/or tonsillectomy. RESULTS: Serum IgG levels dropped after surgery, but partially recovered four months later. IgA dropped less significantly and IgM did not change its levels. No one of the studied inmunoglobulins dropped below the normal serum levels. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSIONS: Adenoid and tonsilar surgery cause a fall of postoperative immunoglobulin G and A serum levels, partially recovering after four months. Serum levels never dropped below normal levels, and of the studied children suffered a postoperative disease due to immunodeficiency (AU)