What are indications for tonsillectomy?
• Significant, recurrent tonsillitis. • ‘Kissing tonsils’ – severely enlarged tonsils touching each other in midline and blocking airway. • Enlarged tonsils that have become chronic ‘carriers’ of Group B streptococci in spite of medical treatment with antibiotics. • Tonsillar abscess. • Haemorrhagic tonsillitis. • Continuous mouth breathing and snoring in presence of enlarged tonsils. • Episodes of sleep apnea in presence of enlarged tonsils. What frequency of recurrent tonsillitis is considered significant? For practical purposes 5-7 episodes of tonsillitis per year is a good warning signal. The severity of symptoms in each attack, response to antibiotics and affection of daily and school activities due to these attacks – all these factors play role in decision to consider tonsillectomy – surgical removal of tonsils. When should we suspect hypertrophied adenoids? Repeated upper respiratory tract infections (involving nose, throat, sinuses and ears), persistent thick pus-like nasal dis
