PARENTAL EVALUATION OF TONSIL AND ADENOID REMOVAL

Abstract

THIS PAPER is a preliminary report of parental opinion relative to the success or failure of adenotonsillectomy. The study was undertaken as a critical evaluation of surgical efficiency in carefully selected cases. Many surveys have been done over the years with indifferent results. Despite many variables that may be involved in this problem, observance of two basic principles should provide favorable postoperative results in any series of cases reviewed. These principles are: (1) careful selection of patients and (2) good surgical technique. Within the past decade the need for adenotonsillectomy in children has been minimized. An analysis would probably show public pressure the major cause rather than a change in competent professional opinion. Because of a variety of information and misinformation concerning this subject, it is small wonder that parents are sometimes reluctant to accept a decision demanding surgery. In an excellent review of tonsillectomy, Boies¹ clearly outlines the