The Role of Tonsillectomy in the Prevention of Helicobacter Pylori Infection.

The incidence of Helicobacter pylori infection varies globally and depends on the socioeconomic situation of a location. In the territory of Croatia, the incidence rate among the populace is 40-50% in persons with normal gastroscopic findings, whereas it is increased in persons with the pathohistological finding of the ulcus disease. This study examines the potential preventive role of tonsillectomy with regard to H. pylori infection in later stages of life. The survey was conducted on a sample of 115 examinees (63 male, 52 female), aged between 19 and 86. The survey included examinees that underwent esophagogastroscopy at the Institute of Gastroenterology of the University Hospital Centre Osijek based on indication by a gastroenterology specialist. The survey has shown that of the total of 115 examinees, 28 of them had been tonsillectomised, and 87 had not been tonsillectomised. In the examinees who had not been subjected to tonsillectomy, positive H. pylori result was found in 63.2%, and 53.6% of those who had been tonsillectomised at a young age were positive to H.pylori. The results have shown that H. pylori infection was equally represented in all age groups, and the rate varies at 52.9-64.8%. Hence, the final conclusion was reached that tonsillectomy has no preventive role with regard to H.pylori infection.