Making a decision about recurrent tonsillitis in adults and children

26 September 2023

After months of collaborative refinement between ENT UK and  NHSE, we have completed a ‘Decision Support Tool’ that should aid both patients and clinicians. The document also includes the most recent information from the NATTINA Lancet publication.  Newcastle University’s NIHR-commissioned NATTINA trial concluded that adult tonsillectomy for recurrent tonsillitis is effective both clinically and in terms of cost. The trial found that patients who underwent a tonsillectomy had 50% fewer occurrences of sore throat over two years, compared to patients who did not.

Making this tool easily accessible and widely spread within primary care could make a significant difference to clinical management and referral patterns. 

ENT UK President-elect said:

“We hope ENT UK members will promote and use the recently released Decision Support Tool and the NIHR Alert for recurrent tonsillitis, to help disseminate the important messages from the NATTINA study, which highlights the clinical and cost effectiveness of tonsillectomy in adults to treat recurrent tonsillitis.”

Leading the production of high-quality and timely guidance and setting healthcare standards is one of ENT UK’s objectives in its new strategy to help ‘Inspire Excellence’. 

Access the decision support tool here - https://www.england.nhs.uk/personalisedcare/shared-decision-making/decision-support-tools/

Read the NIHR alert here - https://evidence.nihr.ac.uk/alert/removing-tonsils-is-effective-and-cost-effective-for-adults-with-frequent-tonsillitis/

Read the NATTINA study in the Lancet here - https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(23)00519-6/fulltext