Age-related tonsillar regrowth in children undergoing powered intracapsular tonsillectomy

Abstract Objectives To review our experience with intracapsular tonsillectomy using powered instrumentation (PIT) in the management of tonsillar hypertrophy. Design Retrospective database review of pediatric patients undergoing PIT. Methods The medical records of 636 patients under 11 years of age who underwent PIT performed by the senior author (RFW), predominantly for obstructive sleep disturbance, were reviewed. Data were subsequently analyzed from 559 of these patients for clinical evidence of tonsillar regrowth, post-operative tonsillar hemorrhage, and post-operative dehydration due to pain. Specific information for possible correlation of age at the time of surgery and any increased rate of regrowth was primarily examined. Results There were a total of 33 patients who had clinical evidence of regrowth. Children less than 5 years of age had 5 times the incidence of regrowth ( p Conclusions PIT is a safe procedure with a small risk of tonsillar regrowth being age related. The incidence of postoperative complications following PIT is relatively low (0.54%).