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To the Editor: Thank you for the opportunity of replying to Dr. Rantz's comment. Our response is as follows:
We are grateful to Dr. Rantz for his comments. We agree with his concern about the overuse of prophylactic antibiotics.
However, since one major indication for tonsillectomy is chronic recurrent infection in the tonsils, and since tonsils have been shown to harbor Group A β-hemolytic streptococci commonly, we feel the precaution of medication prior to tonsillectomy may be warranted.
EDITOR'S COMMENT: Perhaps Dr. Saslaw's stand is influenced by the type of patient in his institution. Those who wish reinforcement of their conviction that the way to avoid this decision is to leave the tonsils in will find comfort in reading the indications for tonsillectomy in the new Holt, McIntosh & Barnett textbook.