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Aim: To describes how tonsil surgery was performed in Sweden from 2013 to 2015 with data from the National Tonsil Surgery Registry in Sweden (NTSRS).

Method: The registry collects data from both professionals and patients through questionnaires. A total of 33,870 tonsil surgeries were analysed, comprising approximately 80% of all tonsil surgeries in Sweden from 2013 to 2015.

Results: The two most common procedures were tonsillectomy (41%) and tonsillotomy with adenoidectomy (38%). Tonsillectomy was most commonly performed to treat frequent tonsillitis, while the main indication for tonsil surgery with combined adenoidectomy and for tonsillotomy alone was upper airway obstruction. The most commonly used techniques were cold steel (70%) for tonsillectomy/adenotonsillectomy and radiofrequency (79%) for tonsillotomy/adenotonsillotomy. Ninety-five percent of patients reported symptom relief after 180 d. Day surgery was utilised in 70% of the surgeries. The rate of readmission due to post-tonsillectomy haemorrhage was 5.1%. Male patients more often underwent tonsil surgery at preschool ages due to upper airway obstruction; in comparison, female patients to a larger extent underwent surgery in their early teens because of previous infections.

Conclusions: The NTSRS provides an opportunity to survey tonsil surgery in Sweden and to launch and follow up improvement programmes as desired.

Introduction: Exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction (EILO) is a differential diagnosis for asthma and prevalent in athletes referred for exercise-induced dyspnoea. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of EILO in elite cross-country skiers, known for a high prevalence of asthma.

Method: Elite cross-country skiers were invited for screening of EILO. Screening consisted of clinical assessment, questionnaires, skin prick test, spirometry, eucapnic voluntary hyperventilation test, and continuous laryngoscopy during exercise test. Current asthma was defined as physician-diagnosed asthma and use of asthma medication during the last 12 months. EILO was defined as ≥2 points at the supraglottic or glottic level during exercise at maximal effort, using a visual grade score system.

Result: A total of 89 (51% female) cross-country skiers completed the study. EILO was identified in 27% of the skiers, 83% of whom were female. All skiers with EILO had supraglottic EILO, there was no glottic EILO. Current asthma was present in 34 (38%) of the skiers, 10 (29%) of whom had concomitant EILO. In the skiers with EILO, a higher proportion reported wheeze or shortness of breath following exercise, compared to skiers without EILO. In skiers with EILO and current asthma, compared to skiers with asthma only, a higher proportion reported wheeze or shortness of breath following exercise. Asthma medication usage did not differ between these groups.

Conclusion: EILO is common in elite cross-country skiers, especially females. Asthma and EILO may co-exist, and the prevalence of respiratory symptoms is higher in skiers with both. Testing for EILO should be considered in cross-country skiers with respiratory symptoms.