Otitis media is an infection or inflammation of the middle
ear, and it's fairly common -- affecting thousands of children
6-36 months of age. In fact, it's estimated that one-third
of the child population will experience six or more episodes
of otitis media before starting school, and some will endure
as many as 12 episodes in a given year.
Adenoidectomy and adenotonsillectomy (removal of the adenoids
and/or the tonsils) are the most common major surgical procedures
performed on children in the United States, and the rationale
behind them is often to relieve the pain and discomfort of
recurrent otitis media. However, a study published by the
Journal of the American Medical Association found that these
surgeries were ineffective in resolving otitis media or preventing
its recurrence.
Specifically, the authors noted that "the effectiveness of
surgery... was modest and limited mainly to the first follow-up
year." The authors also pointed out that complications and/or
side effects associated with surgery did occur, especially
in children undergoing adenotonsillectomy (14.6% of patients
suffering complications). And their conclusion says it all:
"...neither operation should be considered a first surgical
intervention in chidlren whose only indication is recurrent
acute otitis media."
For more information on nonsurgical alternatives for resolving
otitis media, contact your doctor of chiropractic. And for
online information on chiropractic care of otitis media, go
to https://www.chiroweb.com/find/tellmeabout/earaches.html
Reference:
Paradise JL, Bluestone CD, Colborn DK, et al. Adenoidectomy
and adenotonsillectomy for recurrent acute otitis media. Journal
of the American Medical Association, Sept. 8, 1999: Vol. 282,
No. 10, pp945-53.
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