ABSTRACT
Treatment of the acute case is by antibiotics, usually with very good results. The problem arises where recurrent and chronic infection is associated with repeated bouts of illness, pain, fever and often loss of time from school or college. Under these circumstances the operation of tonsillectomy becomes justifiable. Tonsillectomy is one of the commonest performed operations on a worldwide basis, but it is sometimes suggested that it may have been over utilised. The evidence for this is questionable, but there is no doubt that currently surgeons are conservative in their indications for tonsillectomy. There is also absolutely no question that it is an extremely effective operation for recurrent and chronic infection of the tonsils, and that patients and their parents are uniformly, highly satisfied with the results.
