Recurrent acute tonsillitis (RT) is a highly prevalent disease among teenagers and young adults. Patients suffer from recurring throat symptoms, fever and impaired quality of life (QOL). Tonsillectomy (TE), the complete removal of the tonsils, is the only well-known treatment. In Denmark, 4000 RT patients undergo TE annually. However, TE is associated with significant morbidity (e.g. pain) and risks (e.g. haemorrhage).
Tonsillotomy (TO), the partial removal of the tonsils, is associated with less morbidity and risk compared to TE. Recent studies indicate that TO might be equivalent to TE in terms of efficiency (e.g. reduced number of sore throat episodes and improved QOL). In this study, we aim to clarify whether TO is a non-inferior alternative to TE.
 
The study is a randomized, controlled, non-blinded trial. We will include 250 adult (≥15 years old) patients with RT (defined as a minimum of five tonsillitis episodes in one year or a minimum of three tonsillitis episodes per year for two years). Patients will be randomized to TE or TO (1:1).
The primary outcome measures are
•    Number of sore throat episodes 12 months after TE vs TO
•    QOL measured as postoperative Tonsillectomy Outcome Inventory 14 score
•    Summarized postoperative pain scores (days 1-10)
•    Overall postoperative discomfort (day 21)
This study approaches a prevalent condition and prominent clinical problem from a patient point of view using patient-reported data as main outcome measures. Our results may be directly implemented in and improve clinical guidelines. The study has the potential to alter the surgical approach to a very prevalent diseases, reducing the postoperative pain/discomfort and risk of haemorrhage, without compromising the benefits of intervention.