Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to histologically analyze the tonsil specimens of patients who were performed tonsillectomy due to obstructive tonsillar hypertrophy or chronic tonsillitis, and investigate the presence of any histological differences particularly in vascular structures.

METHODS: A total of 64 patients including 36 patients (20 males, 16 females; mean age 14.7±8.4 years; range 5 to 28 years) who were operated due to chronic tonsillitis, 28 patients (11 males, 17 females; mean age 13.6±7.2 years; range 3 to 29 years) who were operated due to tonsillar hypertrophy which causes upper airway obstruction, and 128 tonsil tissues were included. Patients’ tonsil sizes were graded preoperatively according to Brodsky classification. Presence of any dilated artery on tonsil surface, number of suturations and their locations (if required), amount of hemorrhage, durations of operations, and volumes of excised tonsil specimens were recorded perioperatively. Tonsillectomy specimens were stained with hematoxilen eosine. Tonsil tissue surface epitelium, stroma, crypta, and vascular structures were evaluated.

RESULTS: Volume of tonsillectomy materials of patients with obstructive tonsillar hypertrophy significantly increased (p<0.05). Also, the number of arteries was significantly higher in hypertrophic tonsils (p<0.05). However, no statistically significant difference was detected between the two groups in terms of arterial endothelial wall thickness and amount of perioperative hemorrhage.

CONCLUSION: Number of vascular structures in hypertrophic tonsils was higher compared to the chronic tonsillitis group, and vascular structures often concentrated in the interfollicular area.