Tonsillectomy reduces the family impact of periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis and cervical adenitis (PFAPA) syndrome and improves health-related quality of life in affected children.

PFAPA syndrome has a profound negative impact on the families of affected children. Tonsillectomy that leads to cessation or reduction of fever episodes eases the impact of the disease on the family. HRQOL in children with PFAPA is low during febrile episodes and similar to healthy controls in between episodes. The improvement of HRQOL in patients with PFAPA after tonsillectomy compared to the afebrile intervals before tonsillectomy highlights that the constantly recurring fevers may affect the children's well-being even between fever episodes.