Tonsillectomy: An Exceptional Treatment?

Tonsillectomy is a well established procedure in ear, nose and throat (ENT) practice, with around 46,000 of these being performed in England alone in 2010–2011. It is most commonly indicated for the treatment of recurrent acute tonsillitis and is often an operation that is performed by junior trainees as it allows for the development of basic surgical skills that are required to progress as an ENT surgeon. While the decision to operate has always been based on a balance of benefits and risks, more recently the indications and effectiveness of tonsillectomy have been called into question.