Medical Management of Recurrent ENT Problems in Childhood.

Many children, particularly preschoolers, present with frequent symptoms associated with ear, nose and throat illness. Tonsillectomy-adenoidectomy (T&A) is widely employed in an attempt to alleviate these symptoms, although there is little valid evidence that long-lasting improvement occurs. Because of the high cost in dollars and morbidity associated with T & A, the author presents alternative practical ways of managing recurrent non-specific respiratory infections, recurrent acute otitis media and serous otitis media, recurrent upper airway obstruction and recurrent streptococcal sore throat. With appropriate medical management and patient compliance, very few children should require T & A.