[Indications for tonsillectomy in 2005].

Tonsillectomy is one of the most frequent ENT operations but yet a very disputed one. The majority of children and adults are treated for recurrent angina, which is validated by several clinical trials. For an adult a peritonsillar abscess is best treated by immediate tonsillectomy. Incision and drainage is a validated method as well, as long as there is no indication to a delayed tonsillectomy. The tonsillectomy alone is not a validated treatment for adult upper airway obstruction. On the other hand it is a recommended procedure for children upper airway obstruction. Partial tonsillectomy (tonsillotomy) is also a validated procedure for this indication. Finally the peritonsillar abscess in a child should first be treated by one or two days of intravenous antibiotics.