INDICATIONS
ALTHOUGH there is over-all agreement for the most part with regard to the indications for tonsillectomy or adenotonsillectomy, this subject continues to provide a great deal of discussion in the literature on tonsils and adenoids.Swanberg1 points out that a large per cent of all surgical procedures in this country are done on tonsils and adenoids and states that the present hospital bed shortage might well be alleviated if strict adherence to present-day indications were insisted upon by physicians and hospital authorities. Lederer and Grossman2 advocate waiting, whenever possible, until the child reaches the age of 5 yr. or more before doing adenotonsillectomy, since they believe that the tonsils play an important part in autovaccination and the defense mechanism. They also point out that hypertrophy alone does not constitute an indication for removal and that hypertrophy is frequently a prominent part of the allergic state.Clein3