Had your tonsils out? There was no need to!!
Scientists have finally confirmed what the rest of us knew all along - that the tonsils (along with other organs) do have a purpose.
Tonsils article
Dutch scientists have confirmed that Tonsil removal in children has no long-term benefit. And the research, published today by the British Medical Journal , says removal of the adenoids, is also an operation with little benefit.
Researchers at Wilhelmina Children's Hospital in Utrecht looked at 300 children aged two to eight years old with recurrent throat infection or enlarged tonsils and adenoids.
During the first six months, surgery marginally reduced the number of episodes of fever, throat infections and upper respiratory tract infections. But from six to 24 months there was no difference between the groups.
"Tonsils do have a role. They are gatekeepers at the back of the throat. If there is a painful infection in the tonsils it could have been worse because the infection could have gone to the lungs."
Doctors now think there are benefits to holding on to the tonsils.
How long before doctors realise that the other organs in the human body also have a purpose and can not be whipped out to order?
JV.