Medical Encyclopedia

Tonsillectomy - series: Indications

Tonsillectomy - series Illustrations: Normal anatomy Indications Procedure Aftercare

Tonsillectomy is advisable when tonsillitis attacks are so frequent or severe that they affect a child's general health or interfere with school, hearing, or breathing. However, tonsillectomies are thought to be done more often than necessary, so a second opinion should be obtained when there is any doubt.

Specifically, the guidelines for surgery are:

• 5 or more episodes of tonsillitis in one year, or
• 3 or more episodes per year over a 2-year period, or
• upper airway obstruction due to tonsillar hypertrophy
• recurrent tonsillar abscess

Tonsillectomy is advised if the tonsils are enlarged and obstructing access to the adenoid during an adenoidectomy operation, or the physician suspects the presence of a tonsil tumor.