Ecological alterations of oral microflora subsequent to tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy

Significant alterations in the pathogenic bacterial microbial oral flora were observed following T & A in children. There was a modification in the pathogenic oral flora three to five weeks post-operatively and 60 per cent fewer bacterial pathogens were observed than at surgery. Long-term follow-ups on our patient sample indicates that many of these alterations in the oral flora remain up to one year after the operation. The nonpathogenic indigenous bacterial oral flora was reduced by less than 24 per cent, and these tended to recolonize rapidly after T & A.